Northallerton mum wants tougher sentences handed to drug dealers who sell to kids
Kerry Roberts' 15-year-old daughter Leah died when she was given ecstasy in 2019
Last updated 14th Oct 2021
A Northallerton mum whose 15-year-old daughter died after being given ecstasy has launched a petition calling for a change in the law to better protect children.
It's after those who gave Leah Hayes the drug only faced supply charges in court.
The boys served just six months each behind bars.
It's after 15-year-old Leah died after taking MDMA in a park in Northallerton in 2019.
The drugs taken by Leah were supplied by two youths.
They were found guilty of supplying MDMA and were jailed for 21 months and 12 months - the maximum sentence under current law.
But now Leah's mum Kerry Roberts is urging the government for harsher penalties for those who supply drugs to those under 16.
Kerry said: "It's only become apparent to me, since Leah, how available and how easy it is and how dangerous it is to get hold of drugs.
"Leah had few pounds on her - I was told the drugs were £2.50.
"She got the drugs easier than if she went to the shop to get a can of coke."
Leah's Law
Called Leah’s Law, Kerry now wants to get 100,000 people to sign a petition to persuade ministers to look at changing the law making it a specific offence to supply drugs to children under 16.
Kerry continued: "When police said to me, she consented, this is why they won't get a longer sentence - because, by law, she consented.
"And my argument is she was 15-years-old. She was a child, by law, she was a minor.
"She couldn't consent to buying alcohol or having sex - none of that is legal at her age."
Kerry concludes: “I want to see a change in the law to make clear that any person under the age of 16 cannot consent to taking illegal substances.
"Why are drug dealers targeting our children but then get the same sentence as if they dealt to a 30-year-old who is quite aware of what he or she is doing."
Kerry's petition can be found here.