Bin man admits supplying ecstasy that killed girl in Devon

A bin man has admitted supplying Ecstasy that led to the death of a 15-year-old school girl.

Jacob Khanlarian, 20, provided class A drugs for Leah Kerry, who died in a hospital a day after being found unconscious in a park in Newton Abbot, Devon, on July 14.

Yesterday he plead guilty to five drugs charges when he appeared at Exeter crown court.

Leah Kerry, 15

Jacob Khanlarian (left), 20, admitted providing class A drugs to Leah Kerry (right) who died in a hospital a day after being found unconscious in a park in Newton Abbot, Devon

Khanlarian walked into a police station and confessed hours after her death, the court heard.

He admitted supplying a quantity of cannabis between January 2013 and July this year.

He also supplied Ecstasy to one young girl and MDMA to another on the same day that Miss Kerry fell ill.

Khanlarian plead guilty to supplying MDMA to others between January 2015 and July this year.

His lawyer Jeff Segan asked for the case to be adjourned because he was still awaiting the results of a toxicology report on Leah’s death.

He said: ‘There was a fatality involved in this case.’ 

Mr Segan said it would be ‘a betrayal of common sense’ to sentence his client – who has no previous convictions – before the exact circumstances of that fatality are known ‘and the part played by drugs supplied by my client’. 

Miss Kerry, 15, died after attending an all night drink and drugs party

Miss Kerry, 15, died after attending an all night drink and drugs party

Miss Kerry died after attending an all night drink and drugs party. Two other young girlfriends were hospitalised, but later recovered.

At a previous hearing Judge Graham Cottle gave a brief overview of the case saying: ‘The defendant supplied drugs to a number of young girls in Newton Abbot, one of whom died.

‘And when that news came to the defendant’s ears he got in touch with the police to say that he had been the person responsible for the supplying of the drugs to the girl who had died and others as well.’

Mr Segan said: ‘That’s correct, he made full and frank admissions at the police station.’

Judge Cottle said: ‘The sole outstanding issue is whether the drugs supplied were of the type the Crown say they were.’

Miss Kerry’s family said she knew about the dangers of drugs but thought she was invincible and ‘rolled the dice’ by taking them.

They said in a statement: ‘Sadly, despite being well aware of the risks, she thought she was invincible and she rolled the dice and had paid the ultimate price.

‘If there are young people who have known Leah, or who have heard her story, I would urge them on Leah’s behalf to not make the same mistake.

‘If even one young person decides to reduce their risk taking behaviour and not take these dangerous tablets, then Leah’s death has not been in vain.’

Her loved ones called for former legal highs – known as NPS, or New PsychoactiveSubstances – to be at the top of the Government’s drugs strategy.

Khanlarian, pictured, leaving Exeter crown court, handed himself into police hours after Miss Kerry died

Khanlarian, pictured, leaving Exeter crown court, handed himself into police hours after Miss Kerry died

They said: ‘It’s so shocking that a 15 year old girl who is socialising with other 15-year-old peers is able to easily have access to a drug so strong that it could lead to her death.

‘The sudden and tragic passing of our beautiful Leah has been the most painful experience that we have all ever had to endure.

‘Leah was a delightful, strong willed, caring and compassionate child and have developed into a courageous and confident young woman who was ready to take on the world.

‘Leah had really started to engage in her education and for the first time since leaving primary school, felt very well accepted and supported by her school setting in Salisbury.

‘She lit up any room she walked into with her incredible personality, sense of humour, striking looks and demeanour, those who know her will ache to hear the words ‘you alright’ one last time.

‘Leah had the benefit of good information and advice from many different sources at various intervals of her adolescent life, Leah was well aware of the nature or different illicit substances and the risk attached.’

Leah, who lived in Salisbury, Wiltshire,had been visiting family and friends in Torquay. 

At the time police said they believed she had died after taking a new psychoactive substance.

The previous judge, Recorder Jeremy Wright, agreed to adjourn the case for three weeks but said ‘hard pressed’ staff must make the toxicology report available.

Khanlarian was remanded in custody and is facing a long jail term for his drug supplying. 

 

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