Semina Halliwell’s mother has described how her daughter would have been dreaming of going to the school prom this year.
Warning: Readers may find some of the details of this story distressing
Rachel Halliwell spoke to Sky News’ north of England correspondent Shingi Mararike after the first day of the inquest into Semina’s death.
The 12-year-old took her own life in 2021 after making a sexual assault allegation.
Police officers visited Semina’s home to look at CCTV footage on 9 June 2021.
During this conversation, she said “I’ve had enough of this” and went upstairs.
It was then she attempted to take her own life – she died days later on 12 June, 2021.
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Ms Halliwell said: “She’d have been in her last year at school, looking forward probably to the prom in a dress.
“I often think about what she would look like now because, you know, the last picture is when she was 12 and she’d be 16 now.
“For a mother the prom, you know, it’s an exciting time. They get to wear a beautiful dress and you see them going to the prom looking glamorous and, you know, it’s sad. It’s sad.”
Earlier, Ms Halliwell told the coroner’s court the assault “destroyed [Semina] mentally, physically”.
“She changed into a different person,” she said.
Ms Halliwell said after reporting the incident to the police Semina initially withdrew the complaint.
“She felt like she wasn’t believed,” Ms Halliwell said.
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Semina was bullied and beaten up three times after she made the allegation, her mother said.
The inquest is set to last seven days.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
