Accidental death verdict on home girl

Accidental death verdict on home girl

Sarah Harrison had wanted to become a model

A verdict of accidental death has been returned on a teenage girl found hanged at a Nottingham children's home.

The inquest jury concluded 15-year-old Sarah Harrison's actions had been a cry for help which went tragically wrong.

The jury was told the children's home in Mapperley where Sarah died had been an inappropriate environment for her.

Over nine months in council care, evidence showed the teenager had been constantly bullied.

The home was closed with immediate effect last October.

'Let down'

The coroner Nigel Chapman said that although many staff did care about Sarah, many people had let her down.

Andrew Lowe, assistant director of social services at Nottingham City Council, described Sarah's death as a "profound tragedy".

He said not a day did pass without him thinking that more could have been done.

The inquest had already been told there was a culture of bullying at the home which staff felt powerless to stop.