Teenager found dead in adult prison seemed like a 'lost soul' - inquest

Annelise Sanderson's mother said her 18-year-old daughter was "scared" before her death

An 18-year-old inmate found dead in her cell "seemed like a lost soul" during her first time in an adult prison, her mother told an inquest.

Annelise Sanderson was sentenced to 52 weeks in custody in June 2020 for assaulting a paramedic after trying to set fire to herself at a petrol station.

Six months later she was found hanging in her cell at HMP Styal.

Her mother said her daughter was "scared" before her death.

Cheshire Coroner's Court heard Miss Sanderson died just weeks before she was due to be released.

A safety plan had been put in place three days into her custodial term when she was identified as at risk of suicide or self-harm after being observed with a ligature in her cell.

The plan was closed eight days later for Miss Sanderson, who had a "long-standing" history of suicide attempts that dated back to when she was aged nine, the court was told.

In a statement, Miss Sanderson's mother, Angela Gray, said she was "worried" when she spoke to her daughter in the first few days of her sentence.

She said: "She was depressed. She seemed like a lost soul.

"She said she didn't know who she was, where she was or what she was doing there. She was scared.

"I was at the time, and remain, concerned that she went into prison at all without first receiving any proper mental health care treatment.

"It seems obvious to me that she was really unwell and I cannot see any other explanation for what she did, in particular at the petrol station."

Her mother told the court that Miss Sanderson, who grew up in Runcorn, had been looking forward to coming home before Christmas, but on 11 December had four weeks added to her sentence for an additional matter.

Annelise Sanderson died in custody at the prison in Styal, Cheshire

Ms Gray also stated she had raised a number of concerns about her daughter's mental health to the closed prison.

Miss Sanderson, who also had alcohol and drug issues, was recorded as displaying "bizarre behaviour" when she arrived on 26 June at HMP Styal where Covid-19 restrictions were in place.

The court heard that Miss Sanderson spoke about her release date postponement and said: "It is what it is and I just have to get on with it".

Her former cellmate, Keanna Hurst, told the inquest Miss Sanderson became upset on 21 December following a phone call.

Ms Hurst said: "She said her partner had been screaming at her. She had been blaming her for a downturn in her mental health.

"I assured her that [her girlfriend's] mental health was not her fault."

Ms Hurst was awoken in their cell early the following morning when prison officers stormed in.

The hearing in Warrington continues.

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