A MAN that supplied cocaine to a 16-year-old who sadly died after taking the drugs has been jailed for four years.

21-year-old James Willett, from Dines Meadow, Andover supplied three grams of cocaine to the teenager Daniel in March 2023.

Daniel sadly died following complications prompted by cocaine toxicity, according to a medical report.

Police found texts from Willet on Daniel’s phone which lead to Willett being arrested and charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Willet appeared at Salisbury Crown Court for sentencing, after he previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, last Wednesday (November 5).

He was given 48-months custody, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228, forfeiture of £215 to be paid to charity and have his phones and drugs seized and destroyed.

Candida Jackson, a local crime investigator at the time said: “This is a tragic case where greed outweighed morality, resulting in Daniel’s death.

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“I hope this sentence sends the message that supplying drugs to any person, let alone a young person, is dealt with robustly.

“I hope that Daniel’s family can now obtain some closure and start their grieving process.”

Officer in charge of the case, detective constable Martyn Powell, said: “When dealers supply illegal drugs to another person, they know that they are putting the health and life of that person 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.”

Daniel’s family have asked for a short statement to be released on their behalf.

It reads: “The loss of Daniel has affected us in so many ways. 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.

“I am glad that this ordeal through court is now over and that he has finally accepted his part in our son’s death.

“Our family can now have some closure and begin to grieve.

“I would urge parents, other family members, and friends to protect your loved ones from those who seek to harm or exploit them, by assisting the police and to report your concerns to Crimestoppers anonymously.”

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