Staff at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington received a "very real physical threat" via email, an inquest heard. The threat was made in an email sent to staff, and Coroner Crispin Oliver said it was not directed at students.
Threat Details and Response
Durham and Darlington Coroners Court heard that the email came from "an unknown person claiming to be part of some sort of group" and contained a threat. Mr Oliver told Sam's parents that he proposed staff give their evidence remotely, saying: "I have read this email – a very real physical threat was made to the safety of the college staff and representatives."
Security at the college has been stepped up, and the police are aware of the threat. Staff were not present at the inquest on the day the threat was received.
Background to the Inquest
Sam Coutts, 18, was found dead at the college 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. His mother, Kirsten, told the inquest that Sam, a high-functioning autistic student, would have felt shame after the meeting. Sam headed to the toilets immediately after the meeting about posts he made on Reddit, and his body was found around three hours later.
Ms Coutts told the hearing that the college failed in its duty of care to him. She described him as loving, gentle, quiet, engaging, adventurous and erudite, with a wicked sense of humour. The second day's evidence was due to start on Tuesday morning.
