Mum's fury after men who sold ecstasy to her tragic daughter, 15, avoid jail

Sherie-Lea James took "death con" pills at a house party she went to with a pal, who was also hospitalised, in 2016.

However Jason Raymond, 21, and Reamell Sharon, 31, avoided prison despite admitting possessing MDMA with intent to supply.

Speaking after the court hearing, mum Samantha said: "I am surprised really, it went completely the opposite to what I expected.

"I did not expect long prison sentences, but I expected to see them go to jail, at least to send a message.

"If you go to house parties and supply them with drugs, you will go to prison, that should have been the message, not that you can go to house parties, supply the party with drugs, and even in tragic circumstances be let off with a slap on the wrists.


"We are disappointed, it is not the result we were after, but hopefully we can draw a line under the court proceedings now and begin to move on.

"My heart was broken into a thousand pieces that day, and it still is. She was my best friend, the daughter that I always wanted, and I won't have that again which is constantly upsetting.

"I have 15 years of amazing memories and I will continue to cherish those."

She added: "Lessons should be learned from a tragedy like this, and all I would say is if you are going out partying, drinking or whatever else you choose to do, stay with people you know, keep your friends close, and be in an environment you know.

"My daughter was in an area she had never been, with people she barely knew, and sadly they did not react fast enough.

"If she had been with her close friends, the ones who know her and care, maybe this would not have happened."

Sherie-Lea took the Class A drug and cocaine in September 2016 at a house party in South Ockendon, Essex.

The Basildon girl who beat liver cancer when she was just a toddler went into cardiac arrest and died in hospital.

A pal of hers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also rushed to hospital but thankfully survived.

Basildon Crown Court heard on Friday how Raymond, of South Ockendon, had brought a bag of 15 pills to the party, called "dominoes" and "death con" which he sold for £10.

Guy Ladenburg, mitigating, stated Raymond did not know how many pills he sold, or whether he recouped his money from the purchase.

Mark Fraser, mitigating for Sharon, told the court his client arrived at the party late, when the others had already consumed drugs and were "clearly affected".

He added the involvement of Sharon, of East London, was buying pills from Raymond to give to Sherie-Lea.

In January Raymond admitted one count of possession with intent to supply MDMA and two counts of supplying the drug.

On July 27 Sharon admitted one count of possession with intent to supply MDMA and one count of supplying the controlled drug to individuals.

Raymond was jailed for 20 months, suspended for 18 months, while Sharon received a 12 month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

Addressing Raymond, Judge John Lodge said: "You were the provider of the drugs to the party, I accept on the totality of evidence that was not done for commercial gain.

"That was done because the party, wrongly, stupidly, thought the party would be more enjoyable if drugs were taken."

Speaking directly to Sharon, Judge Lodge, said: "Your role is one step down.

"You supplied the drugs on the basis of going to the co-accused and purchasing for them drugs that they took."

Raymond was also ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work, and take part in a 40 day rehabilitation scheme.

Sharon was ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work, and take part in a 25 day rehabilitation scheme.



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