Anger over ‘missed chances’ to stop killing of teacher Ann Maguire as coroner says ALL parents should monitor kids’ Facebook pages
A CORONER wants parents to monitor their children's Facebook after an inquest heart there were "missed opportunities" in preventing a twisted teenager from murdering his Spanish teacher.
Ann Maguire, 61, was stabbed to death by 15-year-old Will Cornick at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds in April 2014.
A jury at Wakefield Coroner's Court returned a verdict of unlawful killing today, adding that killer Cornick had told 10 of his fellow students about what he was going to do - but none told an adult.
Coroner Kevin McLoughlin made a series of recommendations, including how he now wanted Facebook and other social media companies to introduce contracts to give parents responsibility for their children's messaging.
But the husband of Ann Maguire warned there was "more to learn", adding: "During the inquest, we have heard teachers, police officers and Ofsted inspectors all trying to speculate why no student reported the fact of a 34cm knife being brought into school accompanied by threats to kill a teacher. None of those adults have been able to explain why it was not reported.
"We don't seek to blame anyone, simply to understand what went wrong on that day to prevent it happening again".
Flanked by one his daughters, Kerry, a tearful Mr Maguire paid tribute to his wife Ann, saying: "Her life was a gift."
Coroner Kevin McLoughlin has since said he will write to digital minister Matthew Hancock to suggest social media platforms require any 13 to 18-year-olds have a named parent on their application to open an account.
He also said parents should have the right to monitor their children's activity.
Mr McLoughlin said: "Any parent's responsibility transcends any teenager's entitlement to privacy."
The coroner's remarks follow the evidence that Cornick exchanged a series of Facebook messages with a friend outlining his hatred for Mrs Maguire and his plans to harm her.
Cornick, who had a "deep seated grudge" against Spanish teacher Mrs Maguire, had boasted he would murder his teacher for £10.
He had told pals what he was going to do on the day of the murder and even showed part of the "vicious looking" knife but the alarm wasn't raised.
Twisted Cornick had also pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels whisky, which was alongside the kitchen knife in his red No Fear rucksack, and said "it’s like a party".
The evil teen had even told a group of up to six students he didn't think he would end up going to the prom, adding: "You'll probably get why in a few hours".
One girl told police he said: "I don't want to hurt her, I want to kill her."
Students revealed the teen had made threats to kill teachers before, but they had always thought he was joking.
The court heard he then calmly got up from his seat in his 4th floor languages classroom, stabbed Mrs Maguire eight times, then returned to his seat "like nothing had happened".
The inquest heard how Cornick winked and smiled at his friend moments before unleashing his horror attack.
Afterwards he calmly spoke to another teacher "as if he was saying he had not handed in his homework."
Andrew Kellett taught Cornick maths in the 18 months leading up to the brutal stabbing and said he was on target for an A grade.
He told the jury he spoke to Cornick in a school meeting room while he was attended by police officers.
Mr Kellett said: "I said to the police officer I'm going to speak to the parents of Will. Will said 'my mother is away on holiday, you should ring my father instead'.
"I was just shocked how calm he was - the way he spoke to me after what had happened. It was as if he was saying he had not handed in his homework and had left it at home."
The jury added: "Overall communication leading up to the incident was inadequate.
"There were missed opportunities to share and record problem behaviour."
It also said: "The safeguarding policy was not followed as no 'cause for concern' was recorded around the pupil's use of alcohol."
Mr Kellett also told the inquest of his shock at discovering Cornick was planning to stab him in the throat.
He said: "I was made aware of it by an officer who came into school a week later. I got on fairly well with the young man.
"It was shocking information but I had to deal with it having being told that."
Another teacher revealed she was just inches from a Cornick who wanted to kill her unborn baby moments before he slaughtered Mrs Maguire.
Sinead Miley was "absolutely oblivious and absolutely shocked" when she discovered 15-year-old Will Cornick wanted to knife her in the stomach.
She had been teaching him science before he stabbed Mrs Maguire eight times with a 13-inch blade in front of horrified pupils.
Ms Miley told Wakefield Coroner’s Court: "I was teaching Will's class before Ann was murdered.
"I was stood next to Will Cornick and I did not feel unsafe or pick up anything untoward.
"At times I had my back to Will and I didn't pick anything up from eye contact with other students."
Glynis Bradley-Peat, a chief Ofsted inspector who visited Corpus Christi in June and September 2013, told the jury the inspection raised no areas of concerns in relation to weapons.
Cornick was jailed for 20 years at Leeds Crown Court in November 2014.
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