Two local teenagers took their own lives after being arrested for possessing an indecent image of a child, an inquest has been told.

The bodies of Katherine Powell, 17, from Kenilworth, and Jack Williams, 18, were found in 2022 at Bothenhampton nature reserve in Dorset on 25 January 2022 after their baby had been put into foster care.

The BBC reported the young parents were arrested in January that year for possessing an indecent image of a child - six days before they died.

Mr Williams had already been arrested for the same offence the previous November, a month-long inquest was told.

Coroner Brendan Allen - who said he would consider writing a Prevention of Future Deaths Report - said the families of the two people had "faced the whole process with dignity, resilience and courage".

Mr Williams, from Coventry, was living in a flat in Dorset with Katherine due to his bail conditions. 

She was only allowed supervised contact with her child; the court also heard the allegations against them did not involve images of Ms Powell or their child.

A social worker had urged police to upgrade her risk rating from medium to the highest level.

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However, their bodies were found early on 25 January.

After three days of deliberation, the jury returned a conclusion of suicide and said losing custody of her child and the "alleged offences and separation from her partner" had led to Ms Powell's death.

Jurors said Mr Williams had multiple issues including a "troubled childhood" and "multiple suicide attempts" as well as the alleged repeated offences of possessing indecent images.

Mr Williams was also said to have shown "controlling and coercive behaviour" towards his partner.

The Guardian reported family members had raised concerns about this and Ms Powell had told a social worker she was in a controlling relationship.

She had returned to Warwickshire but took a taxi to Dorset to be with Mr Williams shortly before their deaths.

The legal team of Mr Williams' family said there was no evidence he had coerced her into taking her own life.

If you or someone you know has been affected by the subject of this article, please contact Samaritans online or by calling 116 123.

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