PRISON officials have ordered an investigation into how a North-East teenager haunted by the deaths of his brother and one of his best friends was found hanged in a young offenders' institution.

Gareth Price was discovered in his cell at Lancaster Farms Young Offenders' Institution, in Liverpool, only hours before he was due to be sentenced for raping a 17-year-old girl.

Despite the efforts of prison officers to revive him, he died the following day surrounded by his family, who travelled from Ferryhill, County Durham, to be at his bedside.

Last night, his parents, Sealuse and Karen, from Eden House, said the 16-year-old had never got over the death of his brother, Levi George, who was also 16 when he hanged himself in the garden of the family home.

Mr Price said: "He was only 12 years old when we found his brother. He was never the same after that.

"He was a number one son before that. A bit of a rogue but never in any trouble.

"After seeing his brother like that, it put him disturbed somehow.

"He was up and down, and he was in bother all the time. He was more or less away with himself when you were talking to him.

"He just kept re-offending."

Mr Price said the family was dealt a second blow when their daughter-in-law, Rose Ann, 20, was killed in a car accident only months after Levi died.

To compound the tragedy, Gareth was the driver of a stolen car that crashed in West Cornforth, killing passenger 13-year-old Liam Richardson, from Raby Road, Ferryhill, in January 2003.

Mr Price said: "He never really recovered. He felt guilty. He said it should have been him. He wanted to die.

"He was always at his friend's grave. You couldn't keep him away."

Gareth pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking, and was made the subject of an 18-month supervision order.

Then during a holiday in the Liverpool area, Gareth was arrested for raping a 17-year-old girl in Formby.

He pleaded guilty to the charge last September, and during his time on remand made several attempts to take his own life - even setting fire to himself on one occasion.

His parents claim the prison service told them nothing of these attempts and say they have been left with the frustration of believing they could have saved his life if they had known.

Mr Price said: "My wife rang up the young offenders' institution and was just told that he had hanged himself.

"They could have at least telephoned us or sent someone round to tell us what he had done.

"We were all there with him at the hospital, but he did not come round.

"If we had known he had tried to do it before, we could have talked to him.

"If we had, he would still have been here today.

"He had never tried anything like that before. I think it was a cry for help. He needed help and he should have got it.

"We are disgusted at the whole thing and the way it has been handled."

Mr Price said his son was one of 12 brothers and sisters who were all very close.

He said: "We are a big family. We are a close-knit family and we will get through this. We have to get through this."

A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that Gareth Price had been found hanged. An investigation has been launched into his death.

He said: "It is with deep regret that the Prison Service can confirm the death of Gareth Price.

"He was found hanging in his care and separation cell at 12.30pm on Wednesday, January 19. He was transferred to outside hospital and, at 12.55pm on January 20, he was confirmed dead by a hospital doctor.

"Our deepest sympathies are with Gareth's family and friends.

"There will be an investigation by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman, Stephen Shaw."

Family and friends will gather for the teenager's funeral, at All Saints' Church, Ferryhill, at 11.30am on Tuesday.