A heartbroken father told a coroner he wants to clear his late son's name following his death in a police chase crash.
Shae Marlow, 16, died after the VW Golf he was driving hit a wall on Road, Stalybridge, Tameside, at around 6.30pm on November 3 last year.
Following the incident, Greater Manchester Police issued a statement saying officers were earlier called to an 'attempted burglary' at a shop.
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Ahead of an inquest into Shae's death next April, a pre-inquest review hearing was held on Tuesday (December 7) at South Manchester Coroners' Court in Stockport.
The court will hear about the occasions GMP and social services interacted with Shae prior to his death, as well as the night of the crash.
Shae's father Malcolm broke down in tears as he told senior coroner Alison Mutch his son's death was a 'tragic accident'.
He said his son would never have tried to burgle someone, referencing the GMP statement issued in the wake the tragedy.
"What I’m finding hard to deal with is that the police made statements to the papers and online saying he'd been burglarizing a house," Mr Marlow said.
"He was no angel, but he'd never burgle someone.
"Because of that statement he received ridicule. Some of the comments I got said he deserved to die and it hurts my heart to this day.
"We’ve asked to hear the phone call about the burglary, but we’ve not been given anything."
Mr Marlow he still finds it difficult to talk about his son or his death.
He said he is searching for answers.
The court heard officers began following a vehicle which they believed to be involved in an attempted burglary the night of Shae's death.
The car, being driven by Shae, crashed into a wall.
The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. A second 16-year-old was taken to hospital.
Mr Marlow said comments online about Shae hit his family hard.
"I’ve not been able to communicate with people about the case, I can’t talk about him at all," he added.
"I’ve never done anything like this before.
"I don’t blame the police, I just want to clear my son's name."
Catherine Cundy, representing GMP, said she intended to make an application to grant the officers involved anonymity at the hearing.
Ms Mutch will consider the application early next year.
A further pre-inquest review will be held on February 3 to discuss whether the hearing should be held in front of a jury - a decision which has been deferred to give Shae's family time to find a solicitor to make legal representations.
Ms Mutch said: "I’m very sorry you lost Shae when you did.
"To lose a child is just a terrible thing, I appreciate how difficult it is as a family to come to terms with the grief.
"Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help make this easier for you as a family."
Tributes from friends and family poured in for Shae after news of his death broke.
A number of floral tributes were left at the scene of the crash, and one relative, who laid flowers at the scene, told the Manchester Evening News: "He was a very popular lad. He was well-known around here. His mum and dad are in bits, he was really loyal."
A gofundme page set up by a close friend of Shae to raise money for his funeral raised over £5,000.
The full hearing into Shae’s death is due to begin on April 25 and is expected to last five days.
