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A 15-year-old boy who suffered years of sexual abuse at the hands of his carer was found hanged weeks after reporting his evil crimes - an inquest has heard.

Aaron Leafe, from Nottingham, gave a harrowing 93-minute statement to police detailing the heinous abuse he was subjected to by Anwar Ismail.

Just six weeks later he was found dead in his bedroom at Ivy Cottage Children's Home in Tupton, Derbyshire, in May 2010.

His beyond the grave testimony helped jail Ismail for 18 years after the 31-year-old was found guilty of of two counts of sexual activity with a child, three of child abduction, a rape and sexual activity with a child.

An inquest into Aaron's death at Chesterfield Coroners Court was told he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Asperger's Syndrome and taken into care shortly before his 12th birthday.

(Image: Eugene Henderson)

(Image: Leicester Mercury)

In 2007, he was sent to the Woodland Retreat in Leicester where Ismail became his key care worker.

It was shortly after his arrival, the paedophile began grooming the new resident.

In 2013 Leicester Crown Court was told he had pursued Aaron even after he was sacked in 2008 and caused the boy an arm injury while restraining him.

During the trial Aaron's police interview was played to the jury, in which the teenager told officers how he was groomed from age 12.

On it Aaron said: "Anwar always pressured me into having sex with him. I didn't want to do it.

"He gave me money. He got me a flat. He let me drive his car.

"He bought me cigarettes and cannabis. I was scared of him. I just did what I was told. That's why I did it."

Prosecutor Mary Prior told a judge Aaron left a note saying: "I can't get over what happened with me and Anwar. I hate him so much."

On the evening of June 12 Aaron watched a England football match with others residents.

He was last seen by staff at 9,30pm, but less than an hour later the alarm was raised when he was spotted hanging in the window inside one of the educational rooms.

Aaron had dressed himself in the suit which had been bought for him to wear at court later that month.

(Image: Geograph)

A post-mortem recorded the cause of death as hanging - there were no signs of any third party involvement.

Aaron's mum did not attend the first day of the inquest into his death at Chesterfield Coroner's Court. The coroner said she had chosen "not to engage" with the proceedings.

But a statement she gave police was read out at the hearing. She said as Aaron left "he kissed me goodbye and said he loved me". He promised to ring the next day, but the call never came as he was found dead.

Her partner Terry Lawson told detectives the last time he spoken to Aaron, the teenager had told him to "look after mum for me".

He took that to mean he might do something stupid, but when they tried to ring the home they could not get an answer.

Asked by Derbyshire's Assistant Coroner James Newman did she fear he was considering suicide Mrs Leafe said: "It was not something I thought he was capable of."

The hearing is expected to last two weeks.

If you need help, Samaritans can be contacted 24/7 on 116 123 or at their website .

Children can contact ChildLine for free, 24 hours a day on 0800 1111.