Teenager 'never intended to take his own life', inquest hears

The mother of a teenager who committed suicide at his school in Pembroke says she believes her son never intended to take his own life, an inquest has heard.

Derek David Brundrett was 14-years-old when he was found hanged in the grounds at Pembroke School in December 2013.

His mother, Kristina Wray, told Haverfordwest Coroner's Court she believed his death was "a cry for help", and that she believed he thought he would be found "in minutes".

On Monday the court heard how on the day of his death Derek had been sent out of a science class after refusing to remove a hoody, which was not part of his school uniform.

After leaving the classroom, the court heard how he then made his way to a wooded area in view of the school reception, where pupils were known to smoke.

Around an hour later he was found hanging from a tree by pupils who tried to resuscitate him.

Derek was pronounced dead at Withybush Hospital later that day.

Mrs Wray said her son was "a complex child", who was often aggressive, full of anger, and struggled to open up about his feelings.

She told the coroner's court how she had twice made attempts to refer Derek to local mental health service CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental health services) but was told he did not fit the criteria.

Derek's father, David Brundrett, told the court he had concerns about his son's mental state, and that he had told him he was thinking of committing suicide.

In the months leading up to his death Derek had spent several months with foster families and had been sent to a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Neyland, which he had expressed frustration about.

The court also heard how Derek had once threatened to jump off the roof of the PRU building and had self-harmed.

A post-mortem examination found evidence of injuries consistent with self-harm on Derek's arm.

Assistant Coroner Paul Benett said the inquest was expected to last up to three weeks and would hear evidence from Derek's friends and family, as well as medical experts and members of social services.