A CORONER has recorded an open conclusion after the death of an 11-year-old girl who was found in bed with a can of spray-on deodorant in her hand.

Georgia Newnham was found dead just before 8am on May 15 last year at her home in Peacehaven.

At a hearing last week, the medical cause of her death was given as cardiac arrest and solvent inhalation.

Coroner Alan Craze, sitting in Hastings, recorded an open conclusion.

The ruling came after a hearing in November was adjourned.

Georgia had been using aerosol deodorant for about two years because she did not like using a roll-on, the November hearing was told.

She would often sweat in the night and was self-conscious about body odour, the hearing was told.

The day before her death she had been shopping with her foster mother Casandra Copping, who bought her a Sure deodorant because her usual Nivea brand had sold out.

She normally kept the aerosol in a wash bag in her bedroom and would put it on once a day before she went to school, Mrs Copping told the inquest.

She added: “She never, ever put her deodorant on under her duvet.”

She said Georgia was “100 per cent not abusing solvents”.

Teacher Jane McCaughan, the head of Year 7 at Peacehaven Community School where Georgia was a pupil, described her as a “lovely little thing” who was a “real character”.

She said: “There was absolutely no question she was having problems.

“She always presented herself beautifully. [Her personal hygiene] was not of concern and there was absolutely no doubt in my mind she was well cared for.”

She said while some students at the school may have difficulties with substance misuse, solvents or “glue sniffing” were not the item of choice, and she said there was never any suggestion Georgia had tried this.

Georgia’s biological mother Joanne Lewendon, speaking on Tuesday, paid tribute to her daughter.

“She was just very outgoing and spoke her mind, as little girls do,” she said.

“We just cannot believe this has happened.

“I still cannot believe it.”