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Addict Mum Jailed Over Son's Methadone Death

Addict Mum Jailed Over Son's Methadone Death

A mother has been sentenced to six years for the manslaughter of her two-year-old son after deliberately feeding him methadone.

But Kelly Emery, 34, formerly of Cotswold Close in Frankley, was found not guilty of child cruelty charges at Nottingham Crown Court.

Fenton Hogan died from methadone poisoning on 1 July 2013 after he was found collapsed at his home.

Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting, said Emery had given her son methadone so that she could smoke drugs in peace.

The trial heard she had given him 10ml - about half what she was taking as a heroin and cocaine addict. Tests later found he had been given the drug more than once.

Emery had denied charges of manslaughter and child cruelty, but admitted gross negligence and neglect.

Her defence barrister, Jerry Hayes, said despite her many faults Emery had loved her son and would never have deliberately harmed him.

Emery admitted being grossly negligent by leaving methadone bottles lying around her home.

Earlier in the case, the court also heard how two dummies had been found at the family home with traces of cocaine.

The jury heard Emery described as a "long standing addict" with a "chaotic lifestyle".

Fenton spent the weekend before his death with his grandparents, but Emery admitted taking cocaine when her son arrived home on the Sunday night - the day before he died.

Passing sentence as she cried in the dock, Mr Justice Robin Knowles said: "I accept that there is remorse. The case is a tragic one. The offending was so unnecessary and yet so culpable, the consequences so grave; a prison sentence is necessary."

The judge said Emery would serve half of her sentence before being released on licence and urged Emery to focus on beating her addiction.

During the trial, the jury also heard there had been contact between Emery and social services before her son's death.

A statement released after sentencing by Jane Held, independent chair of the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board, expressed "condolences" to Fenton's family and friends.

She said a serious case review was under way into the little boy's death to try to learn any lessons.