This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/lancashire/6611603.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Inmate sent mother suicide note Inmate sent mother suicide note
(about 3 hours later)
A teenage boy who became the youngest inmate to die behind bars in the UK wrote a suicide letter to his mother before he died, an inquest has heard.A teenage boy who became the youngest inmate to die behind bars in the UK wrote a suicide letter to his mother before he died, an inquest has heard.
Adam Rickwood, 14, from Burnley in Lancashire, was said to have a history of self harm and threatening to commit suicide, the coroner's court was told.Adam Rickwood, 14, from Burnley in Lancashire, was said to have a history of self harm and threatening to commit suicide, the coroner's court was told.
Adam was found hanging in his room at the Hassockfield secure training centre in County Durham in August 2004.Adam was found hanging in his room at the Hassockfield secure training centre in County Durham in August 2004.
In his last letter to his mother he said he would kill himself at the unit.In his last letter to his mother he said he would kill himself at the unit.
He described how he could not cope with life in the unit and how he wanted to be 150 miles back home.He described how he could not cope with life in the unit and how he wanted to be 150 miles back home.
After I learned how Adam had died I was shocked but then disgusted because I had warned staff that Adam was suicidal Carol Pounder, Adam's motherAfter I learned how Adam had died I was shocked but then disgusted because I had warned staff that Adam was suicidal Carol Pounder, Adam's mother
The letter, read to the jury, said: "I need to be at home with you. I need to be at home in my own bed or my head will crack up.The letter, read to the jury, said: "I need to be at home with you. I need to be at home in my own bed or my head will crack up.
"I will probably try to kill myself and I will probably succeed this time. I can't stay in here.""I will probably try to kill myself and I will probably succeed this time. I can't stay in here."
The inquest opened at Chester-le-Street Magistrates Court, in County Durham, where the 11-strong jury were told they had to decide how the teenager died but not to apportion any blame.The inquest opened at Chester-le-Street Magistrates Court, in County Durham, where the 11-strong jury were told they had to decide how the teenager died but not to apportion any blame.
'Fullest scrutiny''Fullest scrutiny'
Durham Coroner, Andrew Tweddle, said: "What happens behind prison walls is outside of the scrutiny of normal members of the public.Durham Coroner, Andrew Tweddle, said: "What happens behind prison walls is outside of the scrutiny of normal members of the public.
"If there is a death within those walls it is right and proper there needs to be the fullest scrutiny to ascertain what was going on there. Nobody is on trial here and we are not here to blame anyone."If there is a death within those walls it is right and proper there needs to be the fullest scrutiny to ascertain what was going on there. Nobody is on trial here and we are not here to blame anyone.
"Adam was only 14 and as far as I know is the youngest person ever to die in some sort of penal institution.""Adam was only 14 and as far as I know is the youngest person ever to die in some sort of penal institution."
The teenager's mother, Carol Pounder, of Burnley, told how her son had been a "fit and healthy young lad" but went off the rails when his grandfather died.The teenager's mother, Carol Pounder, of Burnley, told how her son had been a "fit and healthy young lad" but went off the rails when his grandfather died.
Adam's sister Sharon demonstrated outside the courtAdam's sister Sharon demonstrated outside the court
She added: "After I learned how Adam had died I was shocked but then disgusted because I had warned staff that Adam was suicidal. Staff said he was being watched constantly but I am accusing them of lying."She added: "After I learned how Adam had died I was shocked but then disgusted because I had warned staff that Adam was suicidal. Staff said he was being watched constantly but I am accusing them of lying."
The inquest heard how Adam had been involved with social services for a number of years, right up until he was sent to the County Durham unit, but staff did not feel he was a suicide risk.The inquest heard how Adam had been involved with social services for a number of years, right up until he was sent to the County Durham unit, but staff did not feel he was a suicide risk.
Gill Rigg, from Lancashire County Council, said: "Adam was a vulnerable young man who was very troubled and that manifested itself in a whole range of ways but I would have thought he was not at the most severe end of the scale."Gill Rigg, from Lancashire County Council, said: "Adam was a vulnerable young man who was very troubled and that manifested itself in a whole range of ways but I would have thought he was not at the most severe end of the scale."
She added that a previous suicide attempt, in 2002, had been seen more as a cry for help.She added that a previous suicide attempt, in 2002, had been seen more as a cry for help.
Secure accommodationSecure accommodation
Home Office pathologist, Dr Mark Egan, said the cause of death was pressure to the neck due to hanging and told the jury: "There was nothing to suggest he was anything other than a willing participant."Home Office pathologist, Dr Mark Egan, said the cause of death was pressure to the neck due to hanging and told the jury: "There was nothing to suggest he was anything other than a willing participant."
The youngster's family and friends demonstrated outside the court with placards and banners ahead of the hearing.The youngster's family and friends demonstrated outside the court with placards and banners ahead of the hearing.
His sister Sharon, 19, said: "We are here to hopefully see justice done and to make sure this does not happen again."His sister Sharon, 19, said: "We are here to hopefully see justice done and to make sure this does not happen again."
Secure Training Centre's are privately-run children's prisons which are contracted and monitored by the Youth Justice Board on behalf of the Home Office to supply secure accommodation for children. Secure training centres are privately-run children's prisons which are contracted and monitored by the Youth Justice Board on behalf of the Home Office to supply secure accommodation for children.
Hassockfield STC, which opened in September 1999, in Medomsley, County Durham, is run by Premier Training Services Ltd (SERCO).Hassockfield STC, which opened in September 1999, in Medomsley, County Durham, is run by Premier Training Services Ltd (SERCO).
The hearing is expected to last for three weeks.The hearing is expected to last for three weeks.