A YOUNG man has died at a young offenders’ institution while serving a sentence for stabbing a fellow pupil at a learning centre.

Two investigations have been launched after Ryan Gorton, aged 19, died just days before the one-year anniversary of the attack he carried out at Rathbone Learning Centre in Chorley Street, Bolton.

Mr Gorton had served a little more than eight months of his sentence when he was discovered at a young offenders’ institution in County Durham on Monday.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: “Ryan Gorton was found unresponsive in his cell at HMYOI Deerbolt on Monday, May 2. An ambulance was called, but he was pronounced dead shortly after.”

She added: “As with all deaths in custody, there will be an investigation by the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.”

The inquest into the death of Mr Gorton will be opened and adjourned today at Crook Coroner’s Court in County Durham.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “We can confirm police inquiries are being carried out on behalf of HM Coroner for Durham following the death of a prisoner at Deerbolt on Monday, May 2. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

In August last year Mr Gorton was ordered by a judge at Bolton Crown Court to be detained for four years and eight months after he admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife.

The 19-year-old stabbed a teenage boy in the stomach four times on May 8, 2015 as the victim was leaving to get into a taxi in a bid by Rathbone staff to defuse a dispute between the two.

Mr Kelly told The Bolton News at the time how he thought he was going to die after suffering the puncture wounds to the abdomen caused by a knife the defendant had taken from his mother’s kitchen.

A spokeswoman for the ombudsman said: “We are very sorry to be informed of the death of Ryan Gorton and extend our sympathies to his family and friends.

“We will involve them in our investigation if they wish, and will try to answer any questions they may have.

“Our independent investigation will aim to identify the full circumstances of the death and whether there were any failings in Ryan Gorton’s care.

“Where possible we will identify lessons to be learned and make recommendations to the Prison Service to help prevent similar deaths in future.

“We also share any findings with the coroner to assist with this inquiries.”

There is a 26-week target for the completion of the ombudsman’s review, the spokeswoman said.

HMYOI Deerbolt is a purpose-built Category C establishment housing 513 young male offenders from the North of England.

Inmates are aged between 18 and 21 and are serving sentences of a maximum of four years’ detention – or longer only if the prison’s governor agrees.

The institution was judged “generally safe” in a report by the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in May last year.

It is understood Mr Gorton’s family have moved from Halliwell Road, Bolton, to Bury.