Teenager found dead in prison seemed a 'lost soul'

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 after she assaulted a paramedic.

On 22 December she was found hanging in her cell at HMP Styal in Cheshire just weeks before she was due to be released, her inquest heard.

Miss Sanderson’s mother said her daughter was “scared” before her death.

Cheshire Coroner’s Court heard that a safety plan was put in place for Miss Sanderson three days into her custodial term when she was identified as at risk of suicide or self-harm when she was 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.

She had assaulted the paramedic who went to her aid when she tried to set herself on fire at a petrol station.

In a statement, Miss Sanderson’s mother, Angela Gray, said she was “worried” when she spoke to her 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.

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 hearing continues.

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]