A YOUNG woman's mental problems started after she was raped at college, an inquest was told.

Tania Wilcox, 28, was found hanging from a shoelace round her neck at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, the inquest jury heard yesterday.

Pathologist Colin Lawson said Tania died from hanging and had 'I hate you' tattooed on her body.

The hearing was told Tania had lived at Roxburgh House, Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, before being admitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act.

Her father, Richard Wilcox, of Whitstable Road, Faversham, said her mental illness began when she was 17 or 18. "She was raped at college but told no one," said Mr Wilcox.

He and his family only found out later after she took an overdose. She had led a normal life and worked with people with learning difficulties, he said.

Her depression worsened and she was treated at the William Harvey and at St Martin's Hospital, Canterbury.

In the summer 2001 she jumped out of a first-floor window at Roxburgh House, Mr Wilcox said. He believed that she had attempted to kill herself.

Coroner Rachel Redman said the cause of Tania's death was not in doubt. What the jury of seven men and two women had to decide was whether she intended to kill herself.

The hearing continues and the jury is expected to begin considering its verdict today.