Retrial for man in Leah ecstasy case
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A teenager accused of being involved in buying the ecstasy tablet which killed Leah Betts is to face a retrial next year.
Steven Packman, 18, of Laindon, Essex, will stand trial in February at Norwich Crown Court. A jury failed to reach a verdict earlier this week after a seven-day trial. Mr Packman had denied the charge.
His former friend, Stephen Smith, 19, of Basildon, Essex, was given a two-year conditional discharge at the same court yesterday after admitting the same offence. The judge told him: "Go back and spread the message as to just how dangerous ecstasy is. If in doing that you stop some other person from taking this drug with tragic consequences you will have made up in some part for what you did."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments