Connor Ernest Williamson died at his home in Maltby Court, Norwich, on May 20 last year after his mental health deteriorated sharply following the collapse of his dream to pursue a military career.

An inquest into the 17-year-old's death heard concerns that Connor had been bullied after he left home to complete basic training at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, Yorkshire.

Connor Williamson died at his home (Image: Family)

His mother, Kelly McFadden, told Norfolk Coroner's Court that Connor had spoken little about his time there after returning home suddenly but his girlfriend believed he was being bullied.

His GP later confirmed Connor had told him he had been bullied, with the court hearing his sudden departure from the Army marked a clear change in his presentation as he became withdrawn, shut himself away and struggled with the loss of what he had hoped would be his future.

Area coroner Yvonne Blake was also told the teenager had previously taken overdoses, written a suicide note, gone missing and expressed feelings of hopelessness.

Despite this, he was left waiting three months for mental health support after his urgent case was wrongly downgraded to routine care.

During the inquest, the court heard repeated apologies from senior clinicians at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), who admitted mistakes were made in Connor’s care amid staffing shortages, recruitment pressures and communication failures between services.

'A KIND, LOVING AND THOUGHTFUL BOY'

Connor was born on July 26, 2007 and was described by his family as a striking young boy with "piercing blue eyes and white hair who loved posing for photographs".

He was the younger brother........

© Norwich Evening News