Joseph told his mother he would hang himself if he was not moved

Yvonne Scholes told an inquest that her son Joseph had talked about taking his own life just before he was found hanging from a sheet in his cell.

Joseph Scholes, 16, died in March 2002, nine days after beginning a two-year term at Stoke Heath YOI, in Shropshire.

Giving evidence at an inquest, on Monday Mrs Scholes criticised staff.

Mrs Scholes, from Meliden, Denbighshire, said she had told staff how concerned she was about him and the high risk he presented.

At no time during his incarceration was I consulted about the level of observations that had been downgraded Yvonne Scholes

"I thought he was being given the highest level of care possible," she said.

The inquest heard that Joseph, who was from Sale, Greater Manchester, was identified as vulnerable on his arrival at Stoke Heath and put in the health care unit.

Mrs Scholes said that, on the day before he died, her son told her in a telephone conversation to inform staff that he would hang himself if they did not move him.

"At no time during his incarceration was I consulted about the level of observations that had been downgraded," Mrs Scholes added.

Psychiatric reports

"As far as I was concerned, he was sleeping in a room fitted with a surveillance camera and had been categorised as high risk.

"At no time was I informed the health care unit he was being kept in was deemed unsuitable for holding children."

The inquest was told that Joseph had a long history of depression and self-harm and was detained after taking part in a street robbery, despite psychiatric reports recommending he not be placed in custody.

Earlier, the coroner for mid and north Shropshire, John Ellery, said the jury should examine what liaison, if any, had taken place between various agencies with conflicting views about what was best for Joseph.