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Mother's suicide death 'shocking' Mother's suicide death 'shocking'
(10 minutes later)
The Home Secretary has described the case of a mother who killed herself and her daughter after police failed to act as "immensely distressing". The home secretary has described the case of a mother who killed herself and her daughter after police failed to act as "immensely distressing".
Fiona Pilkington, 38, of Barwell, Leicestershire, set fire to her car in October 2007 as she and Francecca Hardwick, 18, sat inside.Fiona Pilkington, 38, of Barwell, Leicestershire, set fire to her car in October 2007 as she and Francecca Hardwick, 18, sat inside.
The jury heard they suffered abuse at the hands of a teenage gang. The jury heard they suffered years of abuse at the hands of a teenage gang.
Alan Johnson called the case "shocking" and said police and other agencies had "hard lessons to learn".Alan Johnson called the case "shocking" and said police and other agencies had "hard lessons to learn".
The inquest at Loughborough Town Hall heard that Ms Pilkington, her daughter and her son, Anthony, a severe dyslexic, suffered more than 10 years of abuse from a gang of teenagers living on their street in Barwell, Leicestershire.The inquest at Loughborough Town Hall heard that Ms Pilkington, her daughter and her son, Anthony, a severe dyslexic, suffered more than 10 years of abuse from a gang of teenagers living on their street in Barwell, Leicestershire.
'Taunting and abusing' Sustained anti-social behaviour in a neighbourhood over a period of several years has contributed to a truly horrific and tragic outcome Amerdeep Somal IPCC class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/leicestershire/8268706.stm">Timeline: Mother's pleas for help
Ms Pilkington is believed to have poured the contents of a 10-litre can of petrol over clothes in the back seat of the car, and set them alight.Ms Pilkington is believed to have poured the contents of a 10-litre can of petrol over clothes in the back seat of the car, and set them alight.
Mr Johnson said the family "suffered intimidation at the hands of a local gang, culminating in a sustained level of abuse that no family should have to tolerate".Mr Johnson said the family "suffered intimidation at the hands of a local gang, culminating in a sustained level of abuse that no family should have to tolerate".
"Leicestershire Police and their local authority partners have had some hard lessons to learn about past failures, which will be the subject of further investigations," he added."Leicestershire Police and their local authority partners have had some hard lessons to learn about past failures, which will be the subject of further investigations," he added.
Relatives described how Ms Pilkington had complained for years about youths "taunting and abusing" her at her home, but six months before her death had told them "I give up".Relatives described how Ms Pilkington had complained for years about youths "taunting and abusing" her at her home, but six months before her death had told them "I give up".
Stress and anxiety
Giving evidence, Ms Pilkington's mother Pam Cassell, 72, said a gang up to 16-strong would stand at the front of the house shouting that they could do anything they liked to the family.Giving evidence, Ms Pilkington's mother Pam Cassell, 72, said a gang up to 16-strong would stand at the front of the house shouting that they could do anything they liked to the family.
The jury found that Ms Pilkington killed herself and her daughter "due to the stress and anxiety regarding her daughter's future, and ongoing anti-social behaviour".The jury found that Ms Pilkington killed herself and her daughter "due to the stress and anxiety regarding her daughter's future, and ongoing anti-social behaviour".
In a statement the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it would be investigating the response of Leicestershire Police to calls for assistance made by Ms Pilkington.In a statement the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it would be investigating the response of Leicestershire Police to calls for assistance made by Ms Pilkington.
IPCC Commissioner, Amerdeep Somal, said: "This is an extremely distressing case about which there is understandably a great deal of public concern.IPCC Commissioner, Amerdeep Somal, said: "This is an extremely distressing case about which there is understandably a great deal of public concern.
"It appears to be a case where sustained anti-social behaviour in a neighbourhood over a period of several years has contributed to a truly horrific and tragic outcome.""It appears to be a case where sustained anti-social behaviour in a neighbourhood over a period of several years has contributed to a truly horrific and tragic outcome."
He said they would be examining "how seriously the police responded to her calls for help, whether the action was appropriate and what actions they did or did not take".He said they would be examining "how seriously the police responded to her calls for help, whether the action was appropriate and what actions they did or did not take".
Speaking after the hearing on behalf of her family, Pam and David Cassell, Fiona's parents and Frankie's grandparents, said: "This has been a terrible time for us and we wouldn't have managed without the love and support from our friends and family.
"This case has highlighted the difficulties that families with disabled children face. We know that the agencies involved have looked to see how they can improve the way they work. "