Mum’s wait goes on over her son’s death

Nov 25 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

A MOTHER was facing another agonising wait last night over whether anyone will face criminal charges over the death of her son who collapsed and died following a chase.

Bev Chapplow was due to hear the outcome of a fresh investigation into the death of her son, Jordan Maddison, who ran from youths near their home in Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside.

Last month Sunderland Coroner Derek Winter dramatically halted an inquest into the death of the 12-year-old schoolboy to let prosecutors consider whether two teenagers should be prosecuted.

He heard just two hours of evidence in which forensic experts said the Houghton Kepier School pupil had a heart defect which could be made worse by exertion – and that the chase could have caused his fatal cardiac arrest.

However, as the inquest resumed yesterday at the Regus Centre, Doxford International Business Park, it was revealed that the Director of Public Prosecutions needed more time to complete the investigation.

After asking interested parties for their views, Coroner Derek Winter adjourned the hearing until December 8.

He said: “I have sent a file of papers to the Director of Public Prosecution, and the chief of the Crown Prosecution Service was in touch with my office yesterday. They are seeking a further adjournment.”

Jordan, of Fenton Terrace, Houghton-le- Spring, Wearside, collapsed and died in January 2008 after fleeing a pair of older boys who he feared would beat him up.

The youngster, who suffered from a rare heart condition known as aortic stenosis, made it to the safety of a friend’s house before slumping to the floor.

He later died in Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Jordan’s mother has repeatedly called for justice for her son, claiming he had been bullied and blaming the tormentors for his death.

Police arrested two teenagers after Jordan’s death last January but prosecutors were unable to charge them.