Eight-year-old Ghanaian hangs

The family of an eight-year-old boy found hanging in his bedroom has paid tribute to him - as it emerged his sister took pictures of him dying.

An inquest is opening into the death of Rexford Boateng, who was found dangling from his bunk bed with a belt around his neck.

Police believe he died in a game that went wrong.

Rexford's 14-year-old sister Regina is believed to have taken snaps of her dying brother on her phone.

Older brother Eric, 16, raised the alarm at the house in Hemel Hempstead, Herts, where they lived with dad Joseph, his partner Cheryl Brunker and sisters Perpetua, 15, and Josephina, 12.

The Rexford's family statement pledged to "love him forever".

They described him as a popular, church-going, sports-mad boy, who's favourite TV show was Horrid Henry.

"Rexford was a loving boy who was very practical and loved playing sport," his family said.

"He had a trophy from Watford Football Club which he received for participating in training sessions and a penalty shoot-out at the club.

"He loved watching football and loved Manchester United."

The headteacher of Hobletts Manor Junior School, where he was in Year 3, said Rexford would be missed by everyone at the school.

Sally Short said: ""He was a lively little boy who loved football and had a smile which would light up anyone's day."

Paramedics fought to save Rexford at the house before he was taken to Watford General Hospital and pronounced dead on Saturday.

Hertfordshire Police said the death was a "tragic accident" and was not being treated as suspicious.

A post-mortem revealed Rexford died from asphyxiation.