Jacob Khanlarian, 20, was sentenced to three years after he admitted supplying ecstasy, also known as MDMA, to tragic Leah Kerry
A binman was jailed today for supplying drugs to a 15-year-old girl shortly before she collapsed and died.
Small-time dealer Jacob Khanlarian, 20, was sentenced to three years after he admitted supplying ecstasy, also known as MDMA, to tragic Leah Kerry.
The schoolgirl lost her life on July 15 after taking three pills in a town centre park with two friends.
She was rushed to hospital unconscious at 4.50am and died shortly afterwards.
Her two friends, who shared a fourth pill, survived following treatment after the incident in Newton Abbot, Devon.
Khanlarian, of Newton Abbot, handed himself into police later the same day after hearing of Leah’s death.
He admitted four counts of supplying the class A drug MDMA and one of supplying class B drug cannabis with intent to supply.
Judge Graham Cottle said Leah had travelled to Newton Abbot from her home in Torquay with her mother as it was her grandmother’s birthday the following day.
She was dropped off to see friends and they then phoned a contact they knew as ‘Jabba’ to order four pills for £30.
Khanlarian met them and handed them the drugs and Leah took three of the MDMA pills.
Leah Kerry was found unconscious in Bakers Park in Newton Abbot, Devon, after taking MDMA supplied by Khanlarian
Leah, pictured as a toddler (left) in a heartbreaking image released by her parents, was found unconscious in Bakers Park in Newton Abbot, on July 15
She started hallucinating shortly afterwards and a friend called an ambulance but she died in hospital.
Judge Cottle told Khanlarian: ‘The fact Leah died as a consequence of taking the pills you supplied her is not specifically an aggravating feature.
‘It is a tragic feature of the offence.
‘It simply serves as a demonstration of the inherent dangers of drugs.
‘What is an aggravating feature is that you were prepared to sell to girls as young as these three were.’
In a noted passed to Judge Cottle, Khanlarian penned: ‘I understand the severity of my case and there is nothing I can do now to change what happened’. He is pictured in September 2014
The family said Leah lit up ‘any room she walked into with her incredible personality, sense of humour, striking looks and demeanour’
Judge Cottle said read a note from the defendant and accepted he had genuine remorse.
The note said: ‘I understand the severity of my case and there is nothing I can do now to change what happened.
‘But I just want to say how sorry I am for the loss and grief I caused the girl’s friends and family.’
Prosecuting, Caroline Bolt said tests found that Leah died from huge levels of MDMA in her body.
She said other drugs found in her body, including ketamine, were put down to the impurities in the pills.
The family asked the government to place the dangers of psychoactive substances at the top of their agenda following the Drugs Strategy for 2017, published the day before Leah’s death
Defending Jeffrey Segan said: ‘ At the age of 20 and in the middle of what was something of a frenzy in terms of social media, he had the courage to hand himself into police and make a full admission.
‘He is full of remorse for what happened.’
The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions but had been dealing cannabis for four years.
He had recently bought a batch of 250 pills for £100 he was selling for profit.
After her death Leah’s parents issued a warning about the danger of drugs and said their daughter had ‘rolled the dice’ and’ paid the ultimate price.’
The statement read: ‘The sudden and tragic passing of our beautiful Leah has been the most painful experience that we have all ever had to endure.
Police in Newton Abbot, Devon, where the 15-year-old girl died at after taking legal highs
‘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 allriiight’ 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 of different illicit substances and the risks attached.
‘Sadly, despite being well aware of the risks, she thought she was invincible and she rolled the dice and has paid the ultimate price.
‘If there are any young people who have known Leah, or who have heard about her story, I would urge them on Leah’s behalf to not make the same mistake and to make better and safer choices when out in the community.
‘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.’