A YOUTH who lost money in online soccer betting dared not tell his mother who had helped him pay $1,000 last year, a coroner's court heard.

Tiew Zhi Xiang, 18, unemployed, had incurred debts after betting soccer online and his mother eventually helped him clear his debts.

He promised never to bet again. He also promised his father never to sniff glue when caught doing so in his room in January. He broke both promises.

At Friday's coroner's inquiry into his death, the court heard that he not only lost around $900 in online soccer betting but also went back to glue sniffing.

At around 6am on March 1, he called and arranged to meet his friend, Mr Koh Wee Liat, also 18, at the latter's place.

When they met, Tiew said he was very stressed as he had lost about $900 from online soccer betting.

Both then went to Geylang to buy two tubes of glue, walked back to the block of flats at Upper Boon Keng Road to sniff glue at the 13th floor staircase landing.

Tiew told his friend he was feeling stressed and did not know what to do.

He said he dared not tell his mother about his debts and mentioned about dying but his friend thought he was joking.

Not long after Tiew left his friend's place, his body was found at the foot of the block. He was believed to have fallen from the 13th floor where his footwear was found.

Tiew left a note in his room stating that he hoped to see his family again in his next life.

State Coroner Victor Yeo recorded a verdict of suicide.