Knightswood drug dealer faces jail after death of teen who took ecstasy

A teenage drug dealer is facing jail after selling ecstasy to a 14-year-old who later died after taking it.

Thomas Lamont, 18, met with and sold six tablets to Zoe Bremner, on June 10 last year.

But shortly after Zoe took two tablets she couldn’t walk and appeared to take a fit.

An ambulance was called to the flat at Dundasvale Court, but minutes after they arrived the schoolgirl was pronounced dead.

A post mortem revealed the cause of death was ecstasy.

Lamont, from Knightswood, Glasgow, pleded guilty at the city’s sheriff court to being concerned in supply of the Class A drug to Zoe on June 10, 2017 on a street in Drumchapel.

Another 18-year-old Stephen Selkirk, from Yoker, Glasgow also pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of ecstasy to four 15-year-olds between April 14 and May 15, last year in the Yoker and Drumchapel areas.

Zoe and two friends were at a house party in Knightswood on the day of the incident.

Procurator fiscal depute Niall Macdonald said: “At 4.20pm police officers went to an address in Knightswood, Glasgow in response to a report of a house party at that address.

“The police noted details of 20 people who remained in the house which included Zoe Bremner.

“There were no signs of drug misuse within the property, and the police took possession and disposed of all alcohol.”

The court heard Zoe and two others left there and went to another house.

Mr Macdonald said the group agreed to try a new ecstasy tablet called “capital hardcore” which they believed to be stronger.

Zoe said she could get the tablets from Lamont, and used someone else's phone to call him using Facebook messenger.

Mr Macdonald added: “Lamont agreed to sell six tablets to Zoe Bremner for £45 and they arranged to meet at the flyover at Duntreath Drive.

“After the call, Zoe informed the others of the arrangement.”

She and two others made their way there, and a message was sent from Lamont saying “Be rapid.”

One of the group Zoe was with stopped to talk to friends but she and the other person carried on.

Lamont was with two others and Zoe handed £45 cash to him, who gave her six ecstasy tablets.

Mr Macdonald said Zoe and the two others went to a flat at Dundasvale Court about 10pm and while there shared the six ecstasy tablets.

Zoe took two, while one 15-year-old girl took one and a half and the other took two and a half.

Mr Macdonld continued that one girl claimed to feel the effects of the drug about 15 minutes later and “a short time later” Zoe was helped to the bathroom as she was “unable to walk”.

He said: “Zoe became increasingly agitated and aggressive and subsequently appeared to be taking a fit.

“They all lifted Zoe into the bedroom and put her not he bed.

“Soon after the emergency services were contacted and arrived at 12.49am.

“No vital signs were present and Zoe was pronounced deceased minutes later.”

A post mortem confirmed that the primary cause of death was MDMA (ecstasy) intoxication.

When police arrived at the scene they took the bag the drugs had been in.

A forensic analysis showed there was a small amount of ecstasy in it and Lamont’s DNA was found on the knotted area.

Lamont’s house was searched although nothing of note was found.

His mum later gave a statement that Lamont had confirmed he had been there when the drugs were bought, but named two others as being responsible for supplying them.

She also said her son told her he had received a Facebook call from Zoe on another person’s phone, asking to buy ecstasy.

Lamont was later interviewed and made “no comment” to questions.

The court heard Selkirk sold four different 15-year-olds ecstasy between April 14 and May 15, 2017.

In each case he was contacted through Facebook messenger with requests to buy drugs.

Everyone who bought the drugs took them, or shared the with friends.

Sheriff Johanna Johnston QC deferred sentence until next month for reports and continued bail but warned both men that all sentencing options are open.

She said: “Each of you has accepted your guilt of a very serious offence.

“This court has repeatedly said that people who deal in drugs, in particular Class A drugs will face severe punishment.

“This case is all to clear an example of just how risky it is for young people to be taking active substances.

“Zoe Bremner, you heard died very quickly from ingesting MDMA - that risk is always there, that’s why the court deals seriously with these cases.