Northallerton mum wins campaign on tougher sentencing for those who supply to children
15 year old Leah Hayes died after taking MDMA in May 2019
Last updated 29th May 2024
A mum from Northallerton - who's 15 year old daughter died after taking a fatal overdose of ecstasy - has won her campaign for tougher sentences for those who supply to children.
Leah Hayes collapsed and died in 2019 after taking MDMA.
Those responsible for selling the drugs to Leah were handed sentences of 12 and 21 months - but served only six months each.
Kerry believes the pair should have been handed tougher sentences as they knowingly supplied drugs to a minor.
Since Leah's death, Kerry's been campaigning for tougher rules on those who supply to children.
It's now been announced the Sentencing Council for England and Wales will recommend the supply of a controlled drug to a child Under 18 is considered as an aggravating factor at sentencing.
Kerry continued:
"I was so determined since the death of Leah and determined after court - I was disappointed with the boys and what they got sentenced - I think I was a mum on a mission.
"Some might say 'it's not a new law, are you not disappointed?' and I've said 'no'. This is what I wanted. It's just been added to a law.
"All I wanted was for children to be more protected and I think they now are."
Kerry says she was disappointed as the sentences handed down to the pair of teenagers who supplied Leah with those fatal drugs in Northallerton in May 2019.
She was told during the court case not to expect a high sentence.
Kerry continued:
"I am fully aware the teenagers didn't force the drugs down Leah's throat - but they were well aware of what they were dealing her and wanted her to take more - and she did - and that was what killed her."
During the last two years, Kerry has met with several MPs and other leaders who backed her calls for a change in law - with Malton and Thirsk MP Kevin Hollinrake and the then North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe among them.
The changes came in from 1 April - meaning supplying drugs to a child under 16 will be considered an "aggravating factor" at sentencing.
At that point, it is down to the judge and their discretion.
Kerry concluded:
"There will be things to consider - for county lines, for example - but hopefully the judge will make the right decision. There are certain people who need to be sentenced higher for what they're doing, if they think it's okay to deal to children."