Tuesday, February 10, 1998 Published at 15:41 GMT
Teenage bullies convicted
Five boys have admitted harassing 13-year-old Kelly Yeomans, who was found dead at her home after apparently committing suicide.
The boys, aged 13 to 17 years old, were convicted at Derby Youth Court, of intentionally harassing Kelly Yeomans in the months before she died in September, 1997.
Kelly was found dead in her bedroom at her home in Allenton, Derbyshire.
Her family claimed she had taken an overdose of painkillers because she had been hounded by bullies.
The prosecution said the Yeomans family had been harassed for several years and were known locally as the Slowmans.
Life 'made a misery'
Kelly, a member of the Salvation Army, was described as a kind and caring girl. But her parents said her life had been made a misery by the torment.
The court heard that during a police interview one of the youths said he had tormented the Yeomans family simply for fun but later wished he could say sorry.
A 15-year-old girl who has denied a public order offence was also bailed unconditionally until her trial in April.
One of the defendant's solicitors, John Moss, described the case as a tragedy from start from finish.
He said that although the harassment did not relate specifically to Kelly's death the youths would have to live with what happened.
An inquest into Kelly's death has been opened and adjourned.