College where student died sent threat - inquest

Staff at a sixth form college where a high-functioning autistic student took his own life have faced online threats, an inquest has heard.

Sam Coutts, 18, was found dead at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, in January, following a meeting with the vice-principal about social media posts in which he expressed he had a crush on his support worker.

Coroner Crispin Oliver told Sam's parents staff from the college would not be at the hearing for safety reasons and proposed they instead give their evidence remotely.

He explained the college had received an email on Monday from "an unknown person claiming to be part of some sort of group" in which a threat was made.

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He said: "I have read this email – a very real physical threat was made to the safety of the college staff and representatives."

The coroner said he was minded to allow college staff to give their evidence remotely and Sam's mother Kirsten Coutts agreed.

Oliver said security at the college had been stepped up, the police were aware and the threat was not directed to students.

Sam took his own life in toilets at the college where he headed immediately after a meeting about posts he made on Reddit.

Vice-principal Theresa Amarawansa said Sam had not expressed thoughts of self-harm at the meeting.

His body was found about three hours later.

Coutts previously said a member of staff informed her – wrongly – that police and paramedic activity at the college did not involve her missing son.

College principal Laurence Job told the inquest on Tuesday: "We would not have wanted to cause more anguish for Kirsten and her family."

He explained the police had told the college no-one should confirm the identity of the person found in the toilets and they were not in a position to say who was involved.

The inquest heard Sam had left a note. Oliver said the teenager's mental health had been like an "iceberg" of which only some was evident to his family and school.

The inquest has also heard how Sam had intervened when a family member had a mental health crisis three months before and he managed to save their life by talking to them.

His mother has described him as loving, gentle, quiet, engaging, adventurous and erudite, with a wicked sense of humour.

The hearing continues.

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