Girl, 18, found dead in cell after she was jailed for attack on paramedic while trying to set herself on fire
A TEEN girl was found dead in her prison cell after she was jailed for attacking a paramedic while trying to set herself on fire, an inquest heard.
Annelise Sanderson, 18, was sentenced to 52 weeks in custody for assaulting the emergency worker, who rushed to her aid during the horror at a petrol station.
She was found hanged in her cell at HMP Styal just six months later, an inquest into her death was told.
Cheshire Coroner’s Court heard Annelise was identified as a risk of self-harm or suicide when she was found with a ligature.
But a welfare plan was closed eight days later despite the teen’s “long history” of suicide attempts dating back to when she was nine.
Her mum Angela Gray told the hearing she was “worried” after speaking to her daughter just days into her sentence.
She added: “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.”
The inquest was told Annelise had been looking forward to coming home before Christmas on December 11 but four weeks was added to her sentence for an additional matter.
Her mum had raised a number of concerns with the jail about her daughter’s mental health and flagged she was severely affected by an ongoing family issue.
The teen had been recorded as displaying “bizarre behaviour” when she arrived at HMP Styal on June 26.
An ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) plan was put in place but this was closed on July 7 after Annelise was described as “more settled”.
Mental health nurse Daisy Ollerenshaw said she carried out a “brief” face-to-face assessment with the inmate, who informed her the petrol station incident was not a suicide attempt.
Her colleague Lauren Shaughnessy told the hearing Annelise had “engaged well” in a meeting on December 17 and was in a “humorous manner”.
She had reportedly spoken about her release date postponement and said: “It is what it is and I just have to get on with it.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Ms Shaughnessy said she was “very” surprised when she heard Annelise was later found dead.
The teen was on licence at the time of the attack on the paramedic and had issues with drugs and alcohol, the court was told.
Annelise’s death came after 21-year-old Katie Allan took her own life in 2018 at Polmont Young Offenders Institution.
Katie, who was jailed for dangerous driving, had reportedly been “berated” by other inmates.
The inquest into Annelise’s death continues.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
