The parents of a 12-year-old girl from Sydenham who died after drinking a milkshake suspected of being contaminated with nuts have told the Mia Shay St Hilaire inquest that her life was cut short through the failings of others.
Mia Shay St Hilaire, who lived with a nut allergy, fell fatally ill in August 2023 after visiting Pop Inn Café in Bermondsey with her aunt and her sister. She took just two sips of a Twix milkshake before telling her aunt: “This has nuts in.” She went on to suffer cardiac arrests and died.
Her father, Adrian St Hilaire, and her mother, Chanel Spence, addressed Inner South London Coroner’s Court on Monday as the inquest into their daughter’s death began, paying a moving tribute to the girl they described as their “beautiful daughter”.
Mr St Hilaire said the family had been blessed with “twelve precious years” filled with love, laughter and joy, and spoke of the overwhelming anguish of losing a child in such circumstances. He described the pain of having to navigate a world without Mia, a daughter whose arrival had once brought tears of happiness.
The couple described Mia as quirky and full of personality, with an incredible sense of humour. She loved music, dreamed of exploring the world, and was already learning Mandarin, Latin and French — a bright and curious girl with enormous promise.
Ms Spence said it was with profound sadness that the family had to accept they would never watch Mia flourish into the remarkable young woman she was destined to become, nor see her reach the milestones that lay ahead of her. Instead, she said, they were left with memories of what was, rather than the future that should have been — but would always carry her memory, her spirit and the love she brought into their lives.
What the court heard
The court heard that CCTV footage showed the café’s owner, Baris Yucel, using the same blender to prepare a Kinder Bueno milkshake containing hazelnuts just minutes before Mia’s drink was made, without washing the equipment in between.
In a statement read to the inquest, Mr Yucel said the woman who placed the order had not mentioned that anyone in the group had an allergy, and that he had not asked. He said he could not remember whether the blender had been cleaned, adding that the café’s usual policy was to wash it after every milkshake but that this was not always possible at busy times.
Mr Yucel was prosecuted by Southwark Council’s food safety team over Mia’s death. He pleaded guilty to six food safety charges, and was fined and given a community order.
What the inquest will examine
Assistant Coroner Briony Ballard told the court the Mia Shay St Hilaire inquest will examine seven issues: Mia’s diagnosis and allergy management, what happened inside the café, the likely allergen involved, the emergency response, her hospital treatment, and whether the actions — or inaction — of anyone involved contributed to her death.
An inquest is a formal fact-finding hearing. It does not decide criminal or civil liability; instead, it establishes who died, and when, where and how the death occurred. Where a coroner believes action is needed to stop similar tragedies happening again, they can issue formal reports aimed at preventing future deaths.
Allergy awareness: what families and businesses should know
Mia’s death has underlined the potentially fatal consequences of cross-contamination for people with food allergies. Food businesses in the UK must provide clear information about 14 recognised allergens — including nuts — and since Natasha’s Law took effect in October 2021, food that is pre-packed for direct sale must carry full ingredient lists with allergens emphasised.
Allergy charities advise customers to always tell staff about an allergy before ordering, to ask directly about ingredients and how food is prepared, and never to assume a dish is safe. People prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors should carry them at all times, and anyone witnessing the signs of anaphylaxis — such as swelling, breathing difficulties or collapse — should call 999 immediately.
The inquest will also scrutinise the emergency response and Mia’s hospital treatment, examining whether anything more could have been done once she fell ill.
The hearing continues. Mia’s parents said they would forever hold on to her memory, her spirit and the love she brought into their lives — a tribute to a daughter whose twelve years, though far too short, were filled with love.
