Jessica Scatterson died following 3am social media message

Jessica Scatterson, from Dallam, was 12 when she died on April 22 last year.

The Penketh High School pupil was two days away from becoming a teenager and was picking out birthday presents in the hours before she died.

She was found with superficial cuts to her leg, some in the shape of lettering.

The letters 'RIP' had been written on her ankle in pen.

An inquest into her death has been taking place at Warrington Coroner's Court, sitting at Warrington Town Hall, this week.

But the hearing has been adjourned for a verdict. Although no date for that has yet been set.

Her dad Christopher, who she lived with, recalled their final moments today, Wednesday.

He told coroner Alan Moore: "I had no concerns about Jessica's mood, she was still going out with friends and coming home from school happy.

"I did not see any signs that she was upset or down.

"Jess wasn't just my daughter, she was my best friend and we spoke about everything together.

"She was excited about her birthday and had made plans for the weekend she died and the week after – she was going to go to Cheshire Oaks with her friends and we were going to go the rugby on the Saturday she passed away."

The court heard Jessica spent her final evening cuddling on the couch with her dad and choosing birthday presents online before taking a bath and going to bed.

Mr Scatterson said he saw no signs of self-harming on Jessica.

He added: "She was a happy little girl, always singing and smiling."

After going to bed, Jessica went on her computer which her dad said was normal for her to do.

The 12-year-old spent a lot of time on her phone chatting to friends and on social media but Mr Scatterson said it wasn't an 'excessive' amount.

He told his younger son and Jessica to switch off their devices when he went to bed and last saw Jessica sitting on the bottom bunk of her bed.

Shortly before 3am, after seeing Jessica post a suicide note on social media, her school friends rang police.

Officers arrived at the house on Summerfield Avenue in Dallam and the youngster was found unconscious in her bedroom by Sgt Ross Dryden and her dad.

Police and paramedics desperately tried to revive her and she was taken to Warrington Hospital at 3.45am.

Despite their best efforts, doctors were not able to save Jessica and she was pronounced dead at 3.53am.

She was found with superficial cuts to her leg, some in the shape of lettering.

The letters 'RIP' had been written on her ankle in pen.

DI Hannah Friend, who attended, noticed an iPad, iPhone and a number of notes referencing suicide and dying.

Nasty messages between Jessica and her friends in the days before were also found on her iPad and her friends told police she had previously self-harmed, but had not told her dad or teachers.

The court heard of an incident in 2016 when Jessica returned home with scratches and a swollen eye and several family members mentioned incidents of name-calling but this was not reported to the school.

Teaching and wellbeing staff from Penketh High School were present to give evidence on Tuesday.

Debra Hogg, Jessica's form tutor, said she had been a 'star of the class' and confided in her about her worries for her dad's wellbeing.

Jessica lived with her dad and had not seen her mum, Rachel Dawber, for a long time.

Debra said: "I was not aware of any issues with bullying. Jessica was a quiet and well organised girl. She spoke to me about issues at home after being shouted out and this was referred to the child protection officer."

Jessica Scatterson

Sarah Barron, a learning mentor at Penketh High, said: "On November 6, 2016, I was told Jessica was upset about her dad's wellbeing and said he seemed depressed. Jessica was worried about him and was taking up jobs (around the house).

"She seemed like a child who was taking too much on for her age."

Ms Barron confirmed she had a positive conversation with Mr Scatterson and he agreed that Jessica could have counselling at school.

Staff told the court there had been fallouts with friends, typical behaviour in high school, but denied it had amounted to bullying.

Wendy Walsh, an emotional wellbeing coordinator, said: "Jessica felt a great deal of responsibility, both within her friendship group and at home. She was the agony aunt of her friends but there were no concerns of bullying or self-harming.

"A lot of young people do not have the skills to cope with these situations."

Jessica's aunt Andrea Barker asked if the school had a culture of self-harming and suicide.

Principal John Carlin said while it was something the school had experienced, it was normal in relation to the national picture. Since Jessica's death the school has created two welfare teams and self-harming has become a separate policy.

The hearing has been taking place at Warrington Town Hall

He said: "At the time of Jessica's death, the school had an anti-bullying policy. Safeguarding issues would be referred to the child protection officer.

"It is difficult to monitor what happens on pupils' social media, we are reliant on children and parents bringing problems to our attention.

"It is immensely sad and distressing that young people use self-harming as a release. I don't think pupils have the emotional maturity to cope with such situations."

Jessica's mum Rachel questioned Mr Scatterson over why the incident was not reported to the school and why the youngster was looking after her brother.

Mr Scatterson told the court that their daughter liked helping around the house and was never asked to do anything.