Bullied 10-year-old who hanged himself 'did not realise what he was doing' - antidepressants questioned

[Guest guest]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1371961/Bullied-10-year-old-hanged-did-realise-doing.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Bullied 10-year-old who hanged himself 'did not realise what he

was doing'

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 4:35 PM on 31st March 2011

A 10-year-old boy who was suffering from depression did not

understand what he was doing when he hanged himself in his bedroom,

a coroner ruled today.

Harry Hucknall was a 'troubled boy' who had suffered at the hands

of bullies but he did not commit suicide, an inquest into his

death was told.

Post-mortem tests on his body found the level of anti-depressant

drugs found in his system were above the normal therapeutic level

for adults.

The youngster was discovered in his locked room at his home in

Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, on September 19 last year.

He was a twice-removed cousin on his father's side of singer Mick

Hucknall, the frontman for 1990s chart-toppers Simply Red.

The hearing at Barrow Town Hall was told that Harry had been

diagnosed with clinical depression and attention-deficit

hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was prescribed an

anti-depressant and Ritalin.

He had also self-harmed and possibly experimented in risking his

life before.

West Cumbria Coroner Ian said: 'This was not suicide for

one minute. I record that Harry died as a consequence of his own

actions without understanding their true consequences.

'Nobody expected this to happen or foresee it or even fear it may

happen.

'The loss of a child when self-inflicted is a double tragedy for

everyone, for both the family and society.

'I do believe it reflects upon society on how we expect children

to behave. We expect them to be little adults.

'I think it is very sad. He was clearly a troubled boy. We have

heard he was bullied, although the precise circumstances are not

clear.

'He was subject to bullying over a prolonged period where he got

on the butt of other people's attentions. That sadly developed to

self-harming.'

The inquest heard that it was difficult to say how the drugs

affected Harry's state of mind but their influence could not be

excluded.

The levels of both drugs found in his system were above the

normal therapeutic level for adults.

Mr said he did not criticise their prescription in Harry's

circumstances, nor did he argue that the drugs should not be used

by children, but he pointed out that doctors must be 'extremely

careful' in prescribing powerful drugs to 10-year-olds.

He said: 'We as a society quite rightly try to stop children

dabbling in street drugs and yet a child with this label of ADHD

is prescribed, under supervision, mind-altering drugs of a very

powerful nature - the full consequences of which I still do not

believe are fully understood.

'It is very difficult to speculate how these two drugs could

affect Harry's mental state. It seems very much to me that these

drugs and their levels and the measurement of those levels are

still a work in progress from the point of medical science.'

The hearing was told that Harry's mother, Jane White, and his

father, Darren Hucknall, separated more than seven years ago and

that Harry lived with his mother and his siblings, two brothers

and a sister.

The family had moved home 14 times for various reasons, which Mr

said had led to a 'lack of stability' for a 'sensitive lad,

growing up in surroundings not right for him'.

Ms White said her son was quiet and preferred to play on his own

in his early childhood.

The bullying started when she lived in Barrow and he was attacked

in the street by some other children.

'One of them held him down with a screwdriver,' she said. 'We had

to move to Dalton because Harry did not want to go out.'

A later incident followed involving the youngster's best friend,

who was said to have been attacked with a bat by an adult.

Ms White said Harry became stressed when he was asked to give his

version of events and admitted he had not fully seen the incident.

He felt he had let his friend down, she added.

Harry was later referred to social services, his mental health

was assessed and he was eventually prescribed the drugs which

professionals said improved his condition, the inquest heard.

Harry's father questioned the use of the drugs.

Giving evidence, he said: 'I think it was a major contribution to

what happened. He went really quiet, he never mentioned he wanted

to kill himself before the tablets.'

He recalled a conversation they had a couple of months after his

son started taking the drugs early last year.

'He said he wanted to kill himself, he just came out with it,' he

said. 'I said "Why are you saying that?" He said it was funny and

I said "I don't think it's funny" and he said sorry.

'I think he was just saying it to get a response.'

Referring to that incident, the coroner said: 'That is a clear

indication that he did not realise what it meant. He did not

realise what the consequences would be.

'Most certainly I do not think a 10-year-old with the problems he

had got could possibly have thought in the cold of light that that

was the best thing he could do.'

He recorded a narrative verdict.

[Guest guest]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1371961/Bullied-10-year-old-hanged-did-realise-doing.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Bullied 10-year-old who hanged himself 'did not realise what he

was doing'

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 4:35 PM on 31st March 2011

A 10-year-old boy who was suffering from depression did not

understand what he was doing when he hanged himself in his bedroom,

a coroner ruled today.

Harry Hucknall was a 'troubled boy' who had suffered at the hands

of bullies but he did not commit suicide, an inquest into his

death was told.

Post-mortem tests on his body found the level of anti-depressant

drugs found in his system were above the normal therapeutic level

for adults.

The youngster was discovered in his locked room at his home in

Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, on September 19 last year.

He was a twice-removed cousin on his father's side of singer Mick

Hucknall, the frontman for 1990s chart-toppers Simply Red.

The hearing at Barrow Town Hall was told that Harry had been

diagnosed with clinical depression and attention-deficit

hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was prescribed an

anti-depressant and Ritalin.

He had also self-harmed and possibly experimented in risking his

life before.

West Cumbria Coroner Ian said: 'This was not suicide for

one minute. I record that Harry died as a consequence of his own

actions without understanding their true consequences.

'Nobody expected this to happen or foresee it or even fear it may

happen.

'The loss of a child when self-inflicted is a double tragedy for

everyone, for both the family and society.

'I do believe it reflects upon society on how we expect children

to behave. We expect them to be little adults.

'I think it is very sad. He was clearly a troubled boy. We have

heard he was bullied, although the precise circumstances are not

clear.

'He was subject to bullying over a prolonged period where he got

on the butt of other people's attentions. That sadly developed to

self-harming.'

The inquest heard that it was difficult to say how the drugs

affected Harry's state of mind but their influence could not be

excluded.

The levels of both drugs found in his system were above the

normal therapeutic level for adults.

Mr said he did not criticise their prescription in Harry's

circumstances, nor did he argue that the drugs should not be used

by children, but he pointed out that doctors must be 'extremely

careful' in prescribing powerful drugs to 10-year-olds.

He said: 'We as a society quite rightly try to stop children

dabbling in street drugs and yet a child with this label of ADHD

is prescribed, under supervision, mind-altering drugs of a very

powerful nature - the full consequences of which I still do not

believe are fully understood.

'It is very difficult to speculate how these two drugs could

affect Harry's mental state. It seems very much to me that these

drugs and their levels and the measurement of those levels are

still a work in progress from the point of medical science.'

The hearing was told that Harry's mother, Jane White, and his

father, Darren Hucknall, separated more than seven years ago and

that Harry lived with his mother and his siblings, two brothers

and a sister.

The family had moved home 14 times for various reasons, which Mr

said had led to a 'lack of stability' for a 'sensitive lad,

growing up in surroundings not right for him'.

Ms White said her son was quiet and preferred to play on his own

in his early childhood.

The bullying started when she lived in Barrow and he was attacked

in the street by some other children.

'One of them held him down with a screwdriver,' she said. 'We had

to move to Dalton because Harry did not want to go out.'

A later incident followed involving the youngster's best friend,

who was said to have been attacked with a bat by an adult.

Ms White said Harry became stressed when he was asked to give his

version of events and admitted he had not fully seen the incident.

He felt he had let his friend down, she added.

Harry was later referred to social services, his mental health

was assessed and he was eventually prescribed the drugs which

professionals said improved his condition, the inquest heard.

Harry's father questioned the use of the drugs.

Giving evidence, he said: 'I think it was a major contribution to

what happened. He went really quiet, he never mentioned he wanted

to kill himself before the tablets.'

He recalled a conversation they had a couple of months after his

son started taking the drugs early last year.

'He said he wanted to kill himself, he just came out with it,' he

said. 'I said "Why are you saying that?" He said it was funny and

I said "I don't think it's funny" and he said sorry.

'I think he was just saying it to get a response.'

Referring to that incident, the coroner said: 'That is a clear

indication that he did not realise what it meant. He did not

realise what the consequences would be.

'Most certainly I do not think a 10-year-old with the problems he

had got could possibly have thought in the cold of light that that

was the best thing he could do.'

He recorded a narrative verdict.

[Guest guest]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1371961/Bullied-10-year-old-hanged-did-realise-doing.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Bullied 10-year-old who hanged himself 'did not realise what he

was doing'

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 4:35 PM on 31st March 2011

A 10-year-old boy who was suffering from depression did not

understand what he was doing when he hanged himself in his bedroom,

a coroner ruled today.

Harry Hucknall was a 'troubled boy' who had suffered at the hands

of bullies but he did not commit suicide, an inquest into his

death was told.

Post-mortem tests on his body found the level of anti-depressant

drugs found in his system were above the normal therapeutic level

for adults.

The youngster was discovered in his locked room at his home in

Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, on September 19 last year.

He was a twice-removed cousin on his father's side of singer Mick

Hucknall, the frontman for 1990s chart-toppers Simply Red.

The hearing at Barrow Town Hall was told that Harry had been

diagnosed with clinical depression and attention-deficit

hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was prescribed an

anti-depressant and Ritalin.

He had also self-harmed and possibly experimented in risking his

life before.

West Cumbria Coroner Ian said: 'This was not suicide for

one minute. I record that Harry died as a consequence of his own

actions without understanding their true consequences.

'Nobody expected this to happen or foresee it or even fear it may

happen.

'The loss of a child when self-inflicted is a double tragedy for

everyone, for both the family and society.

'I do believe it reflects upon society on how we expect children

to behave. We expect them to be little adults.

'I think it is very sad. He was clearly a troubled boy. We have

heard he was bullied, although the precise circumstances are not

clear.

'He was subject to bullying over a prolonged period where he got

on the butt of other people's attentions. That sadly developed to

self-harming.'

The inquest heard that it was difficult to say how the drugs

affected Harry's state of mind but their influence could not be

excluded.

The levels of both drugs found in his system were above the

normal therapeutic level for adults.

Mr said he did not criticise their prescription in Harry's

circumstances, nor did he argue that the drugs should not be used

by children, but he pointed out that doctors must be 'extremely

careful' in prescribing powerful drugs to 10-year-olds.

He said: 'We as a society quite rightly try to stop children

dabbling in street drugs and yet a child with this label of ADHD

is prescribed, under supervision, mind-altering drugs of a very

powerful nature - the full consequences of which I still do not

believe are fully understood.

'It is very difficult to speculate how these two drugs could

affect Harry's mental state. It seems very much to me that these

drugs and their levels and the measurement of those levels are

still a work in progress from the point of medical science.'

The hearing was told that Harry's mother, Jane White, and his

father, Darren Hucknall, separated more than seven years ago and

that Harry lived with his mother and his siblings, two brothers

and a sister.

The family had moved home 14 times for various reasons, which Mr

said had led to a 'lack of stability' for a 'sensitive lad,

growing up in surroundings not right for him'.

Ms White said her son was quiet and preferred to play on his own

in his early childhood.

The bullying started when she lived in Barrow and he was attacked

in the street by some other children.

'One of them held him down with a screwdriver,' she said. 'We had

to move to Dalton because Harry did not want to go out.'

A later incident followed involving the youngster's best friend,

who was said to have been attacked with a bat by an adult.

Ms White said Harry became stressed when he was asked to give his

version of events and admitted he had not fully seen the incident.

He felt he had let his friend down, she added.

Harry was later referred to social services, his mental health

was assessed and he was eventually prescribed the drugs which

professionals said improved his condition, the inquest heard.

Harry's father questioned the use of the drugs.

Giving evidence, he said: 'I think it was a major contribution to

what happened. He went really quiet, he never mentioned he wanted

to kill himself before the tablets.'

He recalled a conversation they had a couple of months after his

son started taking the drugs early last year.

'He said he wanted to kill himself, he just came out with it,' he

said. 'I said "Why are you saying that?" He said it was funny and

I said "I don't think it's funny" and he said sorry.

'I think he was just saying it to get a response.'

Referring to that incident, the coroner said: 'That is a clear

indication that he did not realise what it meant. He did not

realise what the consequences would be.

'Most certainly I do not think a 10-year-old with the problems he

had got could possibly have thought in the cold of light that that

was the best thing he could do.'

He recorded a narrative verdict.

[Guest guest]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1371961/Bullied-10-year-old-hanged-did-realise-doing.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Bullied 10-year-old who hanged himself 'did not realise what he

was doing'

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 4:35 PM on 31st March 2011

A 10-year-old boy who was suffering from depression did not

understand what he was doing when he hanged himself in his bedroom,

a coroner ruled today.

Harry Hucknall was a 'troubled boy' who had suffered at the hands

of bullies but he did not commit suicide, an inquest into his

death was told.

Post-mortem tests on his body found the level of anti-depressant

drugs found in his system were above the normal therapeutic level

for adults.

The youngster was discovered in his locked room at his home in

Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, on September 19 last year.

He was a twice-removed cousin on his father's side of singer Mick

Hucknall, the frontman for 1990s chart-toppers Simply Red.

The hearing at Barrow Town Hall was told that Harry had been

diagnosed with clinical depression and attention-deficit

hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was prescribed an

anti-depressant and Ritalin.

He had also self-harmed and possibly experimented in risking his

life before.

West Cumbria Coroner Ian said: 'This was not suicide for

one minute. I record that Harry died as a consequence of his own

actions without understanding their true consequences.

'Nobody expected this to happen or foresee it or even fear it may

happen.

'The loss of a child when self-inflicted is a double tragedy for

everyone, for both the family and society.

'I do believe it reflects upon society on how we expect children

to behave. We expect them to be little adults.

'I think it is very sad. He was clearly a troubled boy. We have

heard he was bullied, although the precise circumstances are not

clear.

'He was subject to bullying over a prolonged period where he got

on the butt of other people's attentions. That sadly developed to

self-harming.'

The inquest heard that it was difficult to say how the drugs

affected Harry's state of mind but their influence could not be

excluded.

The levels of both drugs found in his system were above the

normal therapeutic level for adults.

Mr said he did not criticise their prescription in Harry's

circumstances, nor did he argue that the drugs should not be used

by children, but he pointed out that doctors must be 'extremely

careful' in prescribing powerful drugs to 10-year-olds.

He said: 'We as a society quite rightly try to stop children

dabbling in street drugs and yet a child with this label of ADHD

is prescribed, under supervision, mind-altering drugs of a very

powerful nature - the full consequences of which I still do not

believe are fully understood.

'It is very difficult to speculate how these two drugs could

affect Harry's mental state. It seems very much to me that these

drugs and their levels and the measurement of those levels are

still a work in progress from the point of medical science.'

The hearing was told that Harry's mother, Jane White, and his

father, Darren Hucknall, separated more than seven years ago and

that Harry lived with his mother and his siblings, two brothers

and a sister.

The family had moved home 14 times for various reasons, which Mr

said had led to a 'lack of stability' for a 'sensitive lad,

growing up in surroundings not right for him'.

Ms White said her son was quiet and preferred to play on his own

in his early childhood.

The bullying started when she lived in Barrow and he was attacked

in the street by some other children.

'One of them held him down with a screwdriver,' she said. 'We had

to move to Dalton because Harry did not want to go out.'

A later incident followed involving the youngster's best friend,

who was said to have been attacked with a bat by an adult.

Ms White said Harry became stressed when he was asked to give his

version of events and admitted he had not fully seen the incident.

He felt he had let his friend down, she added.

Harry was later referred to social services, his mental health

was assessed and he was eventually prescribed the drugs which

professionals said improved his condition, the inquest heard.

Harry's father questioned the use of the drugs.

Giving evidence, he said: 'I think it was a major contribution to

what happened. He went really quiet, he never mentioned he wanted

to kill himself before the tablets.'

He recalled a conversation they had a couple of months after his

son started taking the drugs early last year.

'He said he wanted to kill himself, he just came out with it,' he

said. 'I said "Why are you saying that?" He said it was funny and

I said "I don't think it's funny" and he said sorry.

'I think he was just saying it to get a response.'

Referring to that incident, the coroner said: 'That is a clear

indication that he did not realise what it meant. He did not

realise what the consequences would be.

'Most certainly I do not think a 10-year-old with the problems he

had got could possibly have thought in the cold of light that that

was the best thing he could do.'

He recorded a narrative verdict.