woman jailed for giving son drugs

Herbie von Smalls · August 17, 2006

A drug addict mother has been jailed for nine years for supplying heroin and crack cocaine to her son from the age of nine.

Emma Kelly, 31, formerly of Eastbourne, in East Sussex, admitted the offences, which could have killed the child, at a hearing at Hove Crown Court last month.

Kelly admitted supplying the drugs between August 2002 and May 2005.

She also admitted two counts of cruelty to a child between August 2003 and January 2005.

Judge Anthony Niblett told her she had betrayed her son.

The court was told Kelly had plied her son with opiates from the age of nine, until he was 11.

She had driven him around as she toured Sussex and London in search of drugs.

The victim could have died on each and every occasion when he was supplied with the combination of illicit substances

Eastbourne Child Protection Team

Ibitayo Adebayo, prosecuting, said police became involved in January last year after Kelly and her son were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and taken to Eastbourne police station.

The police contacted a drug referral worker who saw the boy and noted that the pupils of his eyes were very large, suggesting he was going through a withdrawal from drugs.

Rebecca Upton, defending, said Kelly's descent into drug abuse was triggered by the death of her partner in 1996.

Before then she had a promising career as a jockey and also worked regularly before developing a dependence on drugs.

Ms Upton said Kelly felt "truly disgusted" at her actions and expressed her "utmost and sincerest remorse".

'Saved child's life'

Her son, now aged 12, is in foster care and is said to be thriving and back at school.

The role of East Sussex Social Services was questioned by Judge Anthony Niblett, who said that if it had not been for Kelly and her son being arrested, social services might not have intervened.

After the case Sussex Police Child Protection Team (CPT) at Eastbourne said its hard work, persistence and skilful handling of the case "no doubt saved the child's life".

"The behaviour of Emma Kelly in supplying drugs to a nine-year-old was completely inappropriate and potentially life threatening for the child," it said in a statement.

"Supplying drugs to a minor can seriously damage their heart and essential organs, which are still developing.

"The victim could have died on each and every occasion when he was supplied with the combination of illicit substances."

Coyler · August 17, 2006

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