FRIENDS and family paid emotional tributes to the loyalty, friendship and remarkable sense of humour of a teenager from Essex at his funeral yesterday.

FRIENDS and family paid emotional tributes to the loyalty, friendship and remarkable sense of humour of a teenager from Essex at his funeral yesterday.

Adam Zulewskiwas 19 years old when he suffered serious head injuries after an incident outside a nightclub in Braintree, he died later in hospital.

Hundreds of mourners yesterday packed into St Mary's Church in Bocking heard how the promising young athlete, who lived in Coggeshall Road, Braintree, had touched so many people's lives.

Adam's dad spoke of the time he had spent with his son travelling in Australia last year and the happiness Adam found there.

“This was not a fitting end for such a fine young man, his life was just starting to flourish.

“He believed in fair play and justice and knew the difference between good and evil,” he said.

His fellow team members from Braintree Athletic Team carried the coffin into church and Father Richard Wall spoke about the way Adam still held running records for Essex.

“He was one of those rare young people who wanted their life to be meaningful,” he said.

He added how Adam's sense of humour was legendary and spoke of his unique ability to play the William Tell Overture on his teeth.

A poem written by Adam's mother, Deborah Howdle-Smith I have no wish to say goodbye was read by Natasha Morgan.

After her son's death, Mrs Howdle-Smith said her son had given endless love, laughter and loyal friendship to all those who shared his life.

His brother, Alex, who is an international athlete, said nothing could prepare anyone for such a shock.

He said: “No one here knows how much time they have left on this earth, so make the most of it.”

A slide show - Adam's Life in Pictures - from birth through to his time spent in Australia last year was shown.

Adam was studying maths, physics and computer science A-levels at Braintree College and was hoping to pursue a career in the Intelligence Corps.

He had travelled extensively, visiting family in Poland and Bahrain, skiing in Europe and America.

He was injured in an incident outside Chicago's nightclub at the Freeport Shopping Village on November 27.

He was taken to Broomfield Hospital and then transferred to the Royal Free Hospital in London, where he died.

n Lee Harvey, of Constable Road, Sudbury, will appear at Basildon Crown Court later this year charged with the murder of Adam Zulewski.