Teenage fast-food worker died after 'severe bullying' by colleagues

A TEENAGER took an overdose and died following "severe bullying" by colleagues at the fast-food outlet KFC, an inquest was told yesterday.

Hannah Kirkham, 18, of Baguley, Greater Manchester, was stabbed in the arm with corn sticks and workers sprayed deodorant on her uniform, held a cigarette lighter against her and drew on her face and body with a marker pen, the hearing heard. She was called a "fat, spotty bitch", the Rochdale coroner, Simon Nelson, sitting at Oldham Magistrates' Court, was told..

After the teenager left her job at KFC, she suffered hallucinations that she was being attacked and she self-harmed. On 17 December 2003, Hannah's mother, Marie, found her collapsed on her bedroom floor. She died in hospital nine days later.

The inquest continues today.