Teenager 'picked on by teachers' before death - inquest

The sister of a 14-year-old girl who took her own life has said she was "picked on by teachers" at school.

Molly Evans, now 19, was 12 when her sister Megan Evans was found dead at the family home in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.

Molly referenced one particular teacher, who at the time was responsible for behavioural management at Milford Haven School, and said "she was always getting shouted at by him".

It is alleged that Megan was also bullied on social media sites by other pupils and young people.

Molly told the inquest the teacher was "always near".

"Looking back, I find that pretty weird."

The inquest heard how Megan returned home crying one day "because [the teacher] said she looked like a stripper", referring to her incorrect school uniform.

Molly told the inquest that she did not find this strange at the time.

"I didn't connect the dots whatsoever."

"At the time I was traumatised."

Molly shared a room with her sister, said said: "In the middle of the night I would constantly wake up to her phone buzzing."

She added that she was aware that Megan was receiving unkind messages online but kept things private.

"She never let anybody see," she said.

She recalled how her parents had gone to Cardiff on the evening of the 7 February 2017, leaving Megan, 14, with three of her siblings in the house.

The inquest also heard from a former assistant head teacher, who oversaw wellbeing at the time, said that there were anti-bullying systems in place.

Emma Kedward said there were practices in place including an online "bully button", as well as assemblies on anti-bullying and online safety.

Ms Kedward added that she was "satisfied" all Welsh government guidelines on bullying and wellbeing had been implemented in the school.

The inquest was told that restorative practice had been carried out between Megan and other girls in year 8 because of "social media issues".

Ms Kedward said pupils and staff were encouraged to use these practices in the school and that incidents involving restorative practice were followed up but "not always recorded" adding "it depended on the member of staff".

It was unclear whether Megan's incident was followed up by staff.

The inquest continues.