Dealer who supplied fatal drug to girl, 16, jailed

Michael Shaw, 24, was initially charged with manslaughter but it was dismissed

A drug dealer who supplied ecstasy to a 16-year-old girl who later collapsed and died has been jailed for four years.

Tilly Wooler took the drug with friends in a park in Todmorden after buying £40 of Class A MDMA from Michael Shaw in July 2024. She became unwell and collapsed and, despite hospital treatment, never regained consciousness.

Shaw was initially charged with manslaughter but the charge was dismissed for legal reasons. However, he admitted to supplying MDMA and cannabis and being concerned in the supply of MDMA.

Jailing the 24-year-old at Bradford Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Gibson said: "This case demonstrates the grave danger involved in the taking of illegal drugs by anybody."

The court heard that after taking the MDMA Tilly became paranoid and unsteady on her feet before collapsing and being rushed to hospital.

Prosecutor Jane Brady said the teen's cause of death was multiple organ failure.

Shaw, who the court heard dealt cannabis regularly, was arrested. He was unemployed but did not claim benefits and had no legitimate source of income.

'Devastating impact'

In a victim impact statement Tilly's mother said her daughter was a "joy to be around" and was missed every day.

Father-of-two Shaw, from Bridge Street in Todmorden, also wrote a letter to Tilly's family, which was read out in court by his barrister, Michelle Colborne KC.

He said he took responsibility for everything that happened and "not a day went by" when he did not think about Tilly and her family.

Shaw said it was something he would think about and regret for the rest of his life.

"I offer the most sincere apology and condolence to Tilly's family and will ensure that this will never happen again," he wrote.

Passing sentence, the judge said: "This case demonstrates the grave danger involved in the taking of illegal drugs by anybody.

"If the publicity it receives stops anyone, including any young person, from taking drugs that at least will be a positive outcome."

He added: "Tilly's untimely death, at such a young age, has had a devastating impact on her parents and wider family."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.