Inquest into 'youngest person to die in a women's prison in 20 years' due to start

An inquest into the death of a teenager who a charity says was the youngest to die in a women's prison in 20 years is due to start on Monday. Annelise Sanderson was 18 when she died at HMP Styal in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in December, 2020.

A five-day inquest hearing to examine the circumstances surrounding her death was due to start tomorrow before a coroner sitting at Cheshire Coroners' Court.

Ahead of the inquest starting, the charity INQUEST said Annelise died 'by ligature' and was 'the youngest person to have died in a women's prison in 20 years'.

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They said the tragedy was one of 11 self-inflicted deaths at the prison since 2007, more than any other women's prison in England. Annelise, from Runcorn, Cheshire, was described by the charity, which has supported her family, as a 'tomboy from an early age' who loved cycling and football.

"Annalise was interested in biking and playing football. A passionate, loving and forgiving person, her family said she cherished the relationships of those to whom she was closest," said a statement.

"Annelise had a complex history of mental ill health, self-harm and suicide attempts. She had spent time in local authority care and had experienced significant trauma."

INQUEST said she was arrested in June 2020, shortly after she turned 18. The charity said she was held after being witnessed trying to drink or pour petrol on herself at a petrol station and had also assaulted emergency workers who tried to intervene.

Annelise was subsequently sentenced to 52 weeks in prison and sent to HMP Styal, where she was subjected to a safety plan for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm after three days.