Man jailed after supplying ecstasy to friend who collapsed at Birmingham nightclub and died
A man has been jailed after supplying ecstasy to his close friend who later collapsed at a Birmingham nightclub and died. Bradley Kay was told he would have to live with the death of Cameron Johnson for the rest of his life, although he was not held criminally responsible for causing it.
He provided 15 pills of ecstasy, also known as MDMA, to the 22-year-old, who died on October 26 last year after falling ill at the Forum in Dale End. A toxicology report concluded Mr Johnson died from a 'fatal overdose' after taking three of the tablets. He also had ketamine in his system provided by someone else.
Kay, aged 20, of Main Street, Higham on the Hill, Leicestershire, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a class A drug. He also admitted an additional charge of being concerned in making an offer to supply a class A drug, due to text message evidence of him discussing illegal substances last May which was retrieved from his phone.
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Kay was sentenced to two years at Birmingham Crown Court today, Friday, January 24. Judge Dean Kershaw delivered a stern message about the dangers of supplying and using drugs.
He told him: "Whatever sentence is imposed, whatever is said to you by a judge, on that night you provided drugs to your friend and he died from an overdose of a similar type of drug. You have to live with that. I'm absolutely satisfied that is additional punishment and proper additional mitigation."
A full pathology report has yet to be produced but Judge Kershaw concluded the ecstasy supplied by Kay was 'without doubt a factor' in Mr Johnson's death, notwithstanding any underlying health conditions he may have had.
The court heard Mr Johnson had taken three tablets while others he was with on the night took either half or one tablet without suffering 'adverse consequences'. Judge Kershaw continued: "This is a really sad case of course because somebody has lost their life. It highlights the dreadful effect recreational drugs have including MDMA or ecstasy."
He criticised Kay for his mistaken belief the drugs he supplied were safe adding: "You have no idea consuming such drugs is safe at all. It is not a drug that has been tested, checked and distributed lawfully."
Judge Kershaw went on: "People who supply drugs are risking people's lives for that very reason. You do not know what's in those drugs. What chemicals are actually in them. You don't know how much MDMA is in it or other products and toxins. They are not regulated."
Evidence showed Kay regularly supplied drugs to people but he did not 'tax' them and only charged what they cost him. He and Mr Johnson had helped obtain illegal substances for each other for two years, the court was told.
Judge Kershaw said: "You were entrenched in that lifestyle, that seedy and dangerous world. You may not have believed that was the case."
He acknowledged Kay was of 'positive good character' and was from a 'good family' who he had brought 'shame' to. The judge also accepted he was making good progress in custody but concluded there had to be a 'deterrent' due to the 'well-publicised dangers of ecstasy'.
Sean Larkin, defending, said Kay had given ecstasy to Mr Johnson because his own supplier had 'let him down' on the night. He told the court his client was a 'mess', 'broken' and remorseful over the death of his friend.
He said Kay did not fully appreciate the risks at the time but was now 'anti-drugs'. Mr Larkin added: "This happens, this is the tragedy of drugs and the tragedy of this case."
Flowers and tributes were left outside the Forum following Mr Johnson's death. A framed picture contained the message '#ravesafe4eva22'. An inquest was opened last year and adjourned to be concluded on March 20.