9 July 2012 Last updated at 15:11 ET

Liam Shackleton inquest: Window locks removed

Liam Shackleton fell from the eighth floor tower block in the Lincoln Green area of Leeds

A six-year-old boy fell to his death from an eighth floor tower block in Leeds after child locks were removed from the window, an inquest has heard.

Liam Shackleton died after he fell from the bedroom window of his grandfather's flat in May last year.

Wakefield Coroner's Court heard how the boy may have climbed onto the window sill before his fall.

Head of repairs for council housing said the locks were fitted as standard but may have been removed.

Robert Goor, head of repairs and maintenance, said Peter Shackleton, who was the tenant of the flat and Liam's grandfather, may have removed the locks which were supplied with the windows.

Coroner David Hinchliff said: "When the windows were fitted, they should have had these retaining locks on.

"The point of these retaining locks is they are removable, adjustable, you can slide it up and down to adjust the gap... Had these blocks been on and set at a level which would restrict the width the window could open, this accident could have been prevented."

Investigations found the locks were in place on one window in the living room.

Climbing on ledge

Tanya Shackleton, Liam's mother said that her father-in-law, whose flat they were staying in at the time, had not removed the locks.

The six-year-old went to the Leeds General Infirmary by ambulance but died a short time later

The inquest heard that Liam, alongside his mother, father and siblings had been living in the one bedroom flat of their grandfather for three weeks while they waited to be rehoused.

Liam had been in the bedroom with other family members after workers replaced carpet tiles in the living room.

Coroner Mr Hinchliff said the window in the bedroom was opened as the room became "very warm and stuffy" after furniture from the living room had been moved into the bedroom and the adults were smoking.

He added that Liam was climbing onto the window ledge.

When the carpet was laid, the adults left the bedroom and a short time later, Liam's elder sister told her mother that Liam had fallen.

The six-year-old went to the Leeds General Infirmary by ambulance but died a short time later.

Two men aged 36 and 57, a woman aged 28 and girl, 16, were arrested on suspicion of child neglect but were not charged.

The inquest continues.