Schoolboy Olly Stephens died from stab wounds to the chest, inquest told

An autistic schoolboy killed on the first weekend of the year died from stab wounds to the chest, an inquest heard.

Olly Stephens, 13, was attacked in a park at Bugs Bottom fields, Emmer Green, in Reading, on the afternoon of Sunday January 3.

His inquest was formally opened by assistant coroner Alison McCormick at Reading Coroner’s Court on Monday morning, during which his cause of death was confirmed.

Ms McCormick said a member of the public tried to resuscitate Olly before handing over to the emergency services, but he died at the scene.

His body was identified at the scene by his father, Stuart Stephens, the coroner said.

The four-minute hearing was adjourned until the conclusion of the criminal investigation into Olly’s death.

Last week hundreds of mourners lined streets in Reading for Olly’s funeral.

Mr Stephens said his son “touched so many lives without either us or himself knowing it”, and described him as “a loving, caring, funny soul who would stick up for the underdog”.

A 13-year-old girl, a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of their age, are due to go on trial in the summer accused of Olly’s murder.