Man jailed for giving drugs to teenager who died

James Willett is sentenced to four years in jail after the death of a 16-year-old boy

A 21-year-old man has been jailed for four years after supplying cocaine to a teenager boy who died after taking the drug.

Appearing at Salisbury Court Court, James Willett from Dines Meadow in Andover, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to suppling class A drugs.

The court heard how in March 2023, Willett supplied three grams of cocaine to Daniel, 16, who died from complications prompted by cocaine toxicity.

Following Willett's sentencing on Wednesday, Daniel's family, from Wiltshire, revealed the impact of their sons death, saying they were left feeling "shallow, broken and lonely".

In a statement released by police on Monday, the family said: "The wave of emptiness after his death was immense, it felt like everything had come to an unbelievable end.

"Even in the past days, weeks, months, and years we have felt so shallow, broken, and lonely. I fear that these feelings will never disappear."

They added that following the sentencing, the family can now have "some closure and begin to grieve".

Candida Jackson, Wiltshire Police's crime investigator, said: "This is a tragic case where greed outweighed morality, resulting in Daniel's death."

Det Con Martyn Powell, the officer in charge of the case, said dealers know that they are putting the lives of others at risk.

"It may not have been Mr Willett's intent for the drugs he supplied to kill anyone, but nevertheless he knew that this could have happened.

"I praise Daniel's family for the patience that they have shown in waiting for justice to be served," Det Con Powell added.