His mum told victim ‘not to be alone’ with him
WILL Cornick’s mum revealed how she had warned teacher Ann Maguire “not to be alone” with her son.
Speaking for the first time, his parents, who are divorced, said Cornick “very much regrets” killing her. Coroner Kevin McLoughlin read out their statements to the inquest.
Mum Michelle Leadbetter and dad Ian Cornick said he “hated” Spanish and “disliked” Mrs Maguire.
His mum said: “At the time Will started high school, he was badly beaten up at the school gates. He also had his diabetes diagnosis, and began to distance himself.”
She added: “Some time on February 11, 2014 Will said to me, ‘I can’t stand Mrs Maguire.’”
That same month she also became aware her son had ignored detention given by Mrs Maguire.
She said: “I took the initiative to ring the school because I wanted to discuss Will dropping Spanish.”
That request was denied, but she added: “I asked Mrs Maguire to make sure she was not alone with him as their relationship had broken.
“I meant it would be unproductive to talk with Will alone as he had made his mind up. I did not mean he would be violent or anything of the sort.”
Dad Ian said: “He is scared and feels isolated in prison. He is desperate to find a route to ‘get better’.
“I do not believe Will’s school let Will down. I cannot point to anything that could have forewarned anybody.”