Schoolgirl, 16, died after taking MDMA with pals before under 18 disco as 2 babyfaced teens who sold her drug are jailed
A SCHOOLGIRL died during a night out with friends after she took MDMA sold to her by two baby-faced teenage drug dealers.
Lucy Hill, 16, was rushed to hospital after falling ill at the Move nightclub in Exeter shortly after midnight on December 3, 2022.
But the “kind and caring” teenager died a short time later.
James Greaves, 19, and Taylor Rosswell, 18, were subsequently arrested in connection with supplying the “repurposed and repackaged” MDMA capsules.
The pair were today sentenced after they admitted being concerned in the supply of the class A drug, MDMA, between November 23 and December 3, 2022.
Exeter Crown Court heard Lucy had been among a group of young friends who had arranged to buy drugs from Rowsell, who had obtained the tablets from Greaves.
Greaves had repurposed the MDMA into capsules, before liaising with Rowsell over how to transport the drugs to Lucy and her friends.
He then met Rowsell at Newton Abbot train station on December 2, where it is believed he passed over the capsules.
Meanwhile, Lucy had travelled from Exmouth for a night out with her friends in Exeter.
One of her friends arranged to meet Rowsell to obtain the MDMA tablets.
Each of the group took one or two of the capsules before attending an under-18s disco at the nightclub.
But Lucy soon became unwell and paramedics were called to reports of “concern for the welfare of a teenage girl” at the venue.
She tragically died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital a short time later.
Police launched a probe into her death and found text messages exchanged between Greaves and Rowsell that related to the supply of drugs.
Greaves, of Hatt, near Saltash, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in a young offenders’ institution.
Rowsell, of Rosebery Road, Exmouth, was jailed for two years.
In a victim impact statement, Lucy’s mum Debbie Hill said “everything has been taken away”.
She told the court: “The loss of Lucy has been devastating. To lose your daughter, that’s just the most awful thing that could happen to anybody. I just wish I could have her back.
“Our lives have now completely changed forever. We’ve lost our beautiful little girl.
“It’s just devastating for all of us; for Chloe, her sister, for her dad Chris. What has happened has left the biggest hole in my heart that I know will never heal.
“Lucy was the most kind and caring person, and so sweet natured. I cling on to the memories of her.
“I will never be able to give her a hug again, never ask her how her day’s been, how school was that day. Everything’s just been taken away from us and I can never more be part of her life.”
Lucy’s sister Chloe added: “No day gets any easier nor does the pain ever fade. I would do anything to have Lucy back by my side.
“Life is so hard without Lucy. I lost my best friend. My heart aches and the loss never leaves my mind. I miss doing everything with you…
“Every court date has been a hurdle in our journey of healing, a hurdle that takes us all back to the unforgivable night you both supplied the drug to Lucy.
“Our lives have changed in ways you’ll never feel because of the decisions you both chose to make; I now have to live a life without my little sister because of the path you both chose to take.
“Not only have your actions and decisions taken Lucy away from this world but you’ve also robbed me of my life. A life without Lucy by my side.”
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Sally Johns urged parents to have “honest conversations” with their kids over the dangers of drugs.
She said: “The family of Lucy Hill have been devastated through Lucy’s loss.
“Our Devon and Cornwall Police detectives have supported them throughout, conducting a protracted and thorough investigation to understand what led to Lucy’s death.
“Lucy was not a routine drug user, she was simply a young girl embarking on life, looking forward to the future ahead of her.
“That evening an error of judgement in young minds, led to Lucy’s future being cut so tragically short. This could be the case for anyone’s child or young adult.
“We have seen that these substances can kill many times, and this is another tragic case.
“You don’t know what illegal drugs contain or what reaction you may have to them – but it could be fatal. I urge anyone considering taking drugs to think twice and reconsider.
“I also ask that parents have open and honest conversations with their children about the dangers of drugs, even if you think this does not apply to them.
“Tell them about Lucy. Doing so may save the life of your son or daughter, someone’s sister, brother or friend.
“Anyone who gets involved in illegal drug dealing can expect the full attention of the police.”