Jessica Hooks and Kirstie McInnes sobbed in the dock as they were sentenced in connection with the death of Aimee Costello, 20.
They pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
Hooks
also admitted supplying the drug and McInnes admitted being concerned
in its supply. Hooks was jailed for 10 months and McInnes for six
months, both suspended for 18 months.
They both claimed in statements that Aimee had provided the drug, but later made full admissions.
Judge
Geoffrey Marson QC, sitting at Leeds Crown Court, told them: “If ever a
case demonstrated the dangerousness of even class B drugs this is it.
Many people seem to think that drugs like this, of the M-cat genre, are
harmless. They are dangerous and as this case demonstrates they can
kill.”
The court heard Hooks, 21, had given M-cat, also known as
mephedrone, to Aimee as they partied at Hooks’ home in Leeds while her
parents were away in April last year.
But the next day Aimee, also from Leeds, complained of heart problems, collapsed and died.
Jonathan
Sharp, prosecuting, said that as McInnes, 22, sat with her best friend
Aimee in an ambulance she texted Hooks warning her to get rid of the
drugs. Hooks called her dealer to collect his supply, but police found
the drugs bag and “glossy catalogues” used to snort M-Cat.Aimee’s parents Philip and Heather Costello, of Leeds, said in a
statement: “We hope that Aimee’s death will serve as a warning against
so-called party drugs.
“We are pleased the record will be set straight that Aimee played no part in supplying the drugs.
“To say we are devastated is an understatement and the thought that we will never see her again has left us broken.”
Outside
court Chief Inspector Melanie Jones, of West Yorkshire Police, said:
“We are working hard to educate young people and parents of the very
real dangers posed by what have become known as party drugs.”
Earlier
this week the West Yorkshire Assistant Deputy Coroner, Kevin
McLoughlin, issued a stark warning about the “savage legacy” of M-Cat.
He recorded a verdict of nondependent abuse of drugs at Aimee’s inquest in Leeds.
No comments:
Post a Comment