Mother ‘sedated daughter, 4, with ketamin and heroin because she disrupted her love life'

A mother has denied giving her daughter drugs she referred to as Smarties so she could spend time with her dealer boyfriend, a court has heard.

Michala Pyke, 37, texted then-partner John Rytting saying, ‘she can have a blue smartie [diazepam] and go to sleep lol xxx’.

It is alleged that the couple gave Pyke’s daughter Poppy Widdison sedatives to get her out of the way – Poppy later died.

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What Poppy was told were ‘Smarties’ were allegedly actually the controlled tranquilliser diazepam.

Police found more than 770 diazepam pills at Rytting’s home in Grimsby, North East Lincs.

Hull Crown Court heard that Poppy Widdison died after suffering a cardiac arrest on June 10, 2013, but the death was described as “unexplained”.

On June 9, Poppy was found by an ambulance crew unresponsive, turning blue and not breathing at Rytting’s property – she was taken to Sheffield Hospital, South Yorkshire, and her machine was turned off after the cardiac arrest.

Samples taken from the youngster found by medical professionals showed that Poppy had ingested tranquillisers, as well as “dance drug” ketamine, heroin and methadone [a Heroin withdrawal drug].

The couple denied physical abuse of the child, and pleaded not guilty to making her ingest drugs – the jury were told Pyke had already pleaded guilty to causing Poppy emotional abuse by calling her “a little b*stard”.

In his opening remarks, prosecutor David Gordon told the jury, “Medical and scientific experts seem to agree that drugs did not contribute to Poppy’s death.

“The prosecution would say that at the very least Pyke was an irresponsible parent.

“Poppy was seen by Pyke as something of a nuisance or encumbrance because the couple wanted to get on with their love life and enjoy each other’s company.”

Mr Gordon also told the jury, “Tests found that Heroin and Methadone was also found in Poppy’s hair.

“This is not like sprinkling of the drug over the child’s head – but was made up of the compound of her own cell structure.”

A series of texts were read out to the jury which contained messages from both Pyke and Rytting.

Pyke texted Rytting, who she had a seven month relationship with, to ask what he was doing.

She sent the message: “she can have a blue smartie [diazepam] and go to sleep lol xxx”

Rytting texted back: “you ok”

Pyke replied: “I have a bottle of wine if you want to share. I got £4 from mum so I can get you purple sourz [drugs]. Text me back babe.”

Pyke then text Rytting: “Get the blue smarties ready – the one she likes.”

Speaking about the set of text messages, Mr Gordon said: “It is interesting in the text we say, the prosecution, that this is a reference of diazepam or administrating drugs to sedate the child.

“The words: ‘the one she likes’ suggests it is not a one off but a repeated course of conduct.

“She [Pyke] regarded her own child as a nuisance and interfering with the enjoyment in her own relationship with Mr Rytting.

“The texts reveal that Miss Pyke saw her daughter Poppy as a inconvenience who she felt was in the way with regards to her relationship with Mr Rytting.

“The prosecution will show you [the jury] the physical and mental abuse which poppy suffered during this trial.

“A neighbour who lived next door to where Miss Pyke was living called her own daughter ‘a little b*stard’ and the witness says saw marks of Poppy’s arms.

“That is just a flavour of the evidence which will be induced before you [jury] during the trial.”

The jury heard Pyke said she only smacked her daughter on the bottom and hands to discipline her.

The jury were told Rytting had already admitted fraudulently importing Temazepan before the trial and also pleaded guilty to possession to supply of tranquilliser controlled drugs.

Both Pyke and Rytting admitted the wilful neglect of a child under the age of 16 by allowing Poppy to be accommodated in a place where prescribed and controlled drugs were unsecured and in the presence and in reach of a child. Pyke has also pleaded guilty to causing Poppy emotional abuse.

The former couple each deny two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a child under the age of 16, namely Pyke’s daughter Poppy Widdison, and four drug charges.

One count involves encouraging her to digest prescription drugs diazepam and the other is physical abuse to cause four-year-old Poppy unnecessary suffering or to cause harm to her health.

The trial, which is expected to last three weeks, continues.

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