Annelise Sanderson was 'happy' before being found dead in adult prison

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 had seemed "happy and bubbly" despite being previously identified as at risk of suicide, her inquest heard.

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

Her mother had said she "seemed like a lost soul" during her first time in an adult prison, the inquest had heard.

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

Miss Sanderson, of Runcorn, Cheshire died on 22 December just weeks before she was due to be released.

The inquest jury at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington, heard a safety plan was opened for Miss Sanderson just a week after she came into prison when she was deemed at risk of suicide and self-harm.

Julie Crabtree, a prison officer with 28 years' experience, said she saw Miss Sanderson in late June when she said she presented as "very bizarre".

She said: "I remember her talking about having someone in her cell with her and she had her thrown out of the window because she was annoying her."

The court heard things had changed just a month later.

Asked how Miss Sanderson presented following a further review on 20 July, Ms Crabtree said: "She was certainly happy and bubbly, and said everything was fine.

"She had got accustomed to being on the wing."

She said she continued to be "very bubbly" in subsequent reviews and was "laughing and joking".

Nurse Victoria Corris, clinical lead for the mental health team at the prison, said Miss Sanderson presented as "chaotic" on her arrival.

She said the teenager was semi-naked and had to be assessed through the cell hatch.

Ms Corris said: "I didn't have any immediate concerns that she would harm herself at that time."

The jury heard that Miss Sanderson was not complying with a detox programme and was displaying "erratic behaviour".

Records showed she had a history of self-harm and had tried to set alight a wardrobe in custody, the jury was told.

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

However the safety plan was closed on 8 July when Miss Sanderson was moved from the segregation unit to the prison wing but was still under hourly observations.

The inquest heard two days earlier Miss Sanderson had been noted as attempting to jump over the prison balcony.

The nurse however said she was "very shocked" at the inmate's death.

The hearing continues.

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