Palace guard jailed over drug death

The friend of a Buckingham Palace guardsman was yesterday jailed for his part in supplying drugs which killed him.

Gareth Holland, 20, collapsed and died last year within five hours of taking ecstasy tablets at a nightclub while on weekend leave.

His colleague Matthew Diggle, 22, admitted his involvement in getting the drugs.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Ptes Holland and Diggle travelled from their homes in South Wales to enjoy a night out in Swansea. Pte Holland swallowed two ecstasy pills and amphetamines at a club.

He was taken to the club's "chill out" room to recover after overheating but later died before he reached hospital.

Earlier this week Diggle, of Rhymney, Mid Glamorgan, appeared with Russell Thomas, 30, of Clos Llws Pen, Penpedairheol, Mid Glamorgan, who admitted supplying drugs to both soldiers.

Yesterday, Diggle was jailed for two years. Thomas was sentenced for three-and-a-half years.