A County Durham couple have avoided prison after a child was hospitalised for ingesting cannabis vaping liquid and cocaine.
The child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons due to a court order being imposed, had to be taken into intensive care for 24 hours at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary after ingesting the liquid, which contained cannabis, in January last year. Following tests, it was discovered that the child also had a by-product of cocaine in it's system.
Jordan Wilson, 24, and Njabulo Buthelezi, 21, appeared at Durham Crown Court facing a charge of child neglect and possessing a controlled drug of class B. Wilson was also charged with possessing an electronic stun device. The couple, who are from the Consett area, pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.
Read more: Shameless shoplifter with nearly 300 offences on record targets 21 stores in latest crime spree
Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, said Wilson phoned for an ambulance after a child became "drowsy and sleepy", and the youngster was soon taken to hospital. The pair later divulged that the child had "ingested illegal vaping liquid", causing it to have "reduced consciousness". The court heard that Wilson suggested the child may also have sucked a dummy which had been contaminated with cocaine.
The court heard that the child was treated for possible infection and was ventilated before being transferred to the RVI where they were put in intensive care, ventilated and incubated for 24 hours. Following tests, a cocaine biproduct was found in the child's system and the home of the couple was searched. Vape bottles, along with a "fully functional" Taser, were seized and the bottles were sent for analysis and were said to contain cannabis liquid.
The court heard that the child is currently "thriving" and in good health. Ms Haugstad said: "The child is currently thriving, with no evidence of long term impact."
Jane Waugh, defending Buthelezi, said she pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and was "self-medicating" at the time with drugs due to post-traumatic stress and a personality disorder. She said: "It is not a deliberate case of neglect, and perhaps, because of her immaturity, she didn't see the risk of taking drugs while a child was present. She was taking drugs to help with her mental health."
Ms Waugh added the defendant was as "distressed as any person would be" upon finding a child unwell and that "the worst thing that could have happened to her has happened".
Brian Mark, defending Wilson, said he is as "distressed as his co-accused" at the incident and said it was unlikely he would be back at court in future. He said: "He is now drug free and is in employment...this incident has had an impact on him as it's quite a traumatic experience." Mr Mark added that due to "paranoia" from drug-taking, Wilson had a Taser under his bed for protection, but he had no intention to use it and it wasn't used "to advance criminal activity".
Sentencing the pair, Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, said the child became "very unwell" after ingesting the cannabis vaping liquid and cocaine. He said the prosecution could not say exactly how the child consumed the cocaine.
Both Wilson and Buthelezi were given a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and both must carry out 30 rehabilitation activity days. Buthelezi must also complete 200 hours unpaid work while Wilson was ordered to complete 250 hours.
Read next:
