Schoolgirl hanged herself in bedroom after reporting sex assault which she feared nobody but her mum would believe
Emily Stickells, 16, was found days before she was due to sit her GCSE exams
A TRAGIC schoolgirl hanged herself in her bedroom after reporting a sex assault which she thought no one believed, an inquest has heard.
Emily Stickells, 16, was found at her home in Cardiff in May this year, just days before she was due to sit her GCSE exams.
Her mother Sharon Thomas found her daughter in her bedroom at the family home after she failed to answer text messages.
She said Emily had been trying to cope with an alleged sex attack dating back to 2014 in the 18 months before her death.
"She felt nobody believed her, but I believed her," Mrs Thomas told the inquest.
"It affected her school and everything. She started truanting."
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The inquest heard Emily had been referred to the Sexual Assault Referral Unit at Cardiff Royal Infirmary in December 2014 and had reported a sex assault to police.
She had declined counselling, telling staff she was coping with help from friends and family.
The hearing was told she had been asleep in her bedroom at her home in Trowbridge Green, Cardiff, when her mother and stepfather left for work that day.
Mrs Thomas discovered her daughter's body after she returned home in the afternoon when Emily did not respond to text messages.
Cardiff assistant coroner Thomas Atherton said Emily had split up with her boyfriend on the night before she hanged herself.
She felt nobody believed her, but I believed her
Sharon Thomas, mother
Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Atherton said: "Despite the fact she said she was coping with the consequence of that sexual assault her natural shyness prevented her from telling the people helping her.
"I am very sad Emily did not feel confident enough to take up the counselling offered to her."
He noted Emily's unhappiness "deep down" about the incident and said her behaviour afterwards suggested "a lack of self esteem and confidence".
He added: "This is a truly tragic case."
Following Emily's death, Glantaf headteacher Alun Davies wrote to parents, offering pupils at the school support.
He added: "Emily will be remembered fondly by pupils and staff.
"She made a positive contribution to the school, representing Glantaf in field athletics, and was a popular and valued member of our community."
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see for details.