Adam was found hanging by his shoelaces at Hassockfield Secure Training Centre (STC) on 9 August 2004 just hours after he had been physically restrained by staff. They had used the controversial "nose distraction" technique, designed to cause brief but sharp pain by twisting the nose. Crucially, the jury determined that the centre, 150 miles from Adam's home in Burnley, was the right place for him and staff had acted appropriately in the run-up to his death. Adam's mother has been left aggrieved at the hollowness of the verdict, branding the inquest a "whitewash" (see p7). The verdict leaves questions unanswered, while Adam's tragic story bequeaths important lessons.
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