'Useless' checks on hanged boy

Hourly checks on a teenager who was found dead in his cell at Feltham Young Offenders Institution had been "useless", a lawyer told an inquest today.

His attack came after coroner Alison Thompson warned that the death of Kevin Jacobs, 16, may put the standard of care received within the justice system under the spotlight.

She told a jury at Hammersmith and Fulham Coroner's Court they would examine "whether there was any failure in the system at the time relevant to the duty to protect his life".

Jacobs was 10 weeks into a six-month detention and training order for robbery and assault when he was found hanging by the neck from a sheet tied to the bars of his single cell last 29 September at 2.35am.

He was checked hourly after trying to hang himself at least twice, but was not placed on constant observation, the jury was told.

He was placed on a condition check, which stated that he was at risk of selfharm.

Steve Faulkner, principal officer in charge of the institution overnight, said Jacobs had been " managed appropriately".

"In the previous days, there were no significant concerns with Kevin because, obviously, he would have been reviewed," he said. "If he required constant observation, he would have had it."

The hearing continues.