Angela Gray, the mother of 18-year-old Annelise Sanderson, described her daughter as a “lost soul” during her initial experience in an adult correctional facility, a sentiment she shared at an inquest.

In June 2020, Annelise Sanderson was incarcerated for 52 weeks following an assault on a paramedic.

She was discovered deceased in her cell at HMP Styal in Cheshire on December 22, hanging, only a short time before her expected release, as reported by the inquest.

Angela Gray expressed that her daughter felt frightened preceding her death.

Three days after her imprisonment began, a precautionary plan was initiated for Miss Sanderson upon finding her with a ligature, due to concerns of potential self-harm or suicide. However, this plan was discontinued after eight days. The court learned that Miss Sanderson had a history of suicide attempts, dating back to when she was nine years old. She had previously attacked a paramedic who was responding to an incident where she tried to set herself alight at a fuel station.

Angela Gray, in a statement, mentioned her worries during the first days of her daughter’s sentence, describing her as depressed and disoriented about her identity and purpose in prison.

Gray raised concerns about her daughter being incarcerated without prior mental health care, considering her actions, especially at the petrol station, as indicators of her severe mental illness.

Miss Sanderson, who hailed from Runcorn and had struggled with substance abuse, had been anticipating her homecoming before Christmas. However, her sentence was extended by four weeks on December 11 due to an additional charge.

Gray also reported her ongoing concerns about her daughter’s mental health to the authorities at the closed prison.

Upon her arrival at HMP Styal on June 26, where COVID-19 restrictions were in effect, Miss Sanderson exhibited unusual behavior, as noted in the records.

The inquest is ongoing.