By Claire Rimmer

The teenage daughter of ex-Manchester City player Antoine Sibierski hanged herself while under the influence of alcohol and mephedrone, an inquest heard.

Sibylle Sibierski, 18, was found by police at her flat in Denmark Street, Altrincham on February 1.  It followed her arrest the previous day after an argument with her boyfriend in which he sustained scratches to his face.   

Deputy Coroner of south Manchester, Joan Kearsley, returned a narrative verdict after considering evidence from 10 witnesses.

Mephedrone, known also as Meow Meow, was then a ‘‘legal high’’ but has now been reclassified as illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The inquest heard how Sibylle, who was described as ‘‘lovely, happy sociable and caring’’ by a Trafford college friend was, however, sometimes prone to mood swings and depression. 

On the night of her death she had drunk champagne, which, combined with the come-down effects of mephedrone, may have acted as a depressant.

Another friend described how people used to meet at Sibylle’s Denmark Street flat which she encouraged because she did not like to be alone. 

He told how the group used to buy ‘‘legal highs’’ from Nirvana, a shop near to where she lived.  This made Sibylle ‘‘happy and euphoric.’’

Julie Evans, Toxicologist, likened the effects of mephedrone to those of the drug ecstasy as both are chemically produced materials known to create similar reactions. 

She said the drug could produce feelings of detachment during which times people have been known to self-harm.  She said: ‘‘as the euphoric effects subside, there can be a depressive mood.  This can be between 18 to 24 hours or a few days after taking the substance.’’

Ms Evans concluded that mephedrone use and the alcohol in Sibylle’s body may have contributed to her mental state and therefore have been the cause and effect of her actions.

Deputy Coroner, Joan Kearsley, ruled that she was not satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that Ms Sibierski had intended to take her own life. 

She said: ‘‘Sibylle was clearly a very popular, outgoing and much loved young woman in the prime of her life. Her action was: ‘‘an impulsive act, perhaps driven by her low mood.’’