Crime: Bullied girl's home `was stoned'
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Your support makes all the difference.An inquest opened yesterday into the death of 13-year-old Kelly Yeomans, who killed herself after complaining that she was being bullied.
Five arrests have also been made after her family and neighbours claimed that she was hounded to death by years of victimisation from gangs in her home town of Allenton, Derby. Neighbours have described how up to 15 youths pelted the family's council house with stones, eggs and butter in the days before she died.
The inquest heard how police were called to the home of the Salvation Army girl on Monday morning after her father discovered her body.
Police said yesterday that five teenagers, including some pupils from Kelly's school, have been arrested in connection with her death. The decision on whether to press charges will be made by a panel of police and social workers.
Kelly's family claim to have endured three years of abuse by local teenagers but have no idea why they were targeted
Her father, Ivan Yeomans, 45, said: "We get on with the neighbours and have no idea why these boys picked on us. I suppose it's because we are quiet and turn the other cheek. It hit Kelly very badly. It tore her apart."
Kelly, described as a kind and caring girl, was a member of the Salvation Army, along with her sister Sarah, 16, and other family members. It is thought that Kelly swallowed painkillers on Sunday night because she was unable to face going back to school after the weekend.
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