Mum's heartbreaking message after drug dealers jailed over teen's MDMA death

The family of a 16-year-old girl who died after taking has told her dealers their actions were 'unforgiveable.'

The mum and sister of schoolgirl Lucy Hill paid an emotional tribute and described her as 'our most beautiful girl' after watching the dealers who supplied her with drugs jailed. vShe was described as 'not a routine drug user' and her mum Debbie Hill said the devastation caused to her loved ones 'would never heal.'

The college student travelled from Exmouth for an evening out with the group of friends on December 3, 2022. One of the friends had arranged to meet Taylor Rowsell in Exeter to buy the MDMA capsules. Each of the group took one or two capsules before attending an under-18s disco at the Move nightclub. Soon after the group took the capsules, Lucy became unwell and later died in hospital.

James Greaves, 19, and Rowsell, 18, were this week locked up in a young offenders' institution after pleading guilty to supplying drugs to teenagers. But in her victim personal statement read to the court, Debbie Hill said: "The loss of Lucy has been devastating. To lose your daughter, that's just the most awful thing that could happen to anybody.

"I just wish I could have her back... Our lives have now completely changed forever. We've lost our beautiful little girl. It's just devastating for all of us; for Chloe, her sister, for her dad Chris. What has happened has left the biggest hole in my heart that I know will never heal...

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"Lucy was the most kind and caring person, and so sweet natured. I cling on to the memories of her. I will never be able to give her a hug again, never ask her how her day's been, how school was that day. Everything's just been taken away from us and I can never more be part of her life."

Lucy's sister Chloe added in her victim personal statement: "No day gets any easier nor does the pain ever fade. I would do anything to have Lucy back by my side. Life is so hard without Lucy. I lost my best friend. My heart aches and the loss never leaves my mind. I miss doing everything with you...

"Every court date has been a hurdle in our journey of healing, a hurdle that takes us all back to the unforgivable night you both supplied the drug to Lucy. Our lives have changed in ways you'll never feel because of the decisions you both chose to make; I now have to live a life without my little sister because of the path you both chose to take.

"Not only have your actions and decisions taken Lucy away from this but you've also robbed me of my life. A life without Lucy by my side." On Monday Greaves, 19, previously of Camborne, but now of Hatt, near Saltash, Cornwall, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years while Rowsell, of Exmouth, Devon, was sentenced to two years.

Exeter Crown Court heard Lucy had been among a group of young friends who had arranged and secured the illegal drugs through Rowsell, who in turn had obtained these through Greaves. Greaves had repurposed and repackaged MDMA into capsules and the two arranged and agreed how to transport the drugs to the group.

The police found evidence that the two had met earlier on Friday 2 December at Newton Abbot railway station, where it is believed the MDMA capsules were handed over by Greaves to Rowsell. Detectives found text messages between the two defendants on mobile phones relating to supplying MDMA.

At a crown court hearing in August, Greaves admitted being concerned in the supply of the class A drug, MDMA, between November 23 and December 3, 2022. Rowsell admitted the same charge when he appeared at Exeter Magistrates' Court in June.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Sally Johns, said: "The family of Lucy Hill have been devastated through Lucy's loss. Our detectives have supported them throughout, conducting a protracted and thorough investigation to understand what led to Lucy's death.

"Lucy was not a routine drug user, she was simply a young girl embarking on life, looking forward to the future ahead of her. That evening an error of judgement in young minds, led to Lucy's future being cut so tragically short. This could be the case for anyone's child or young adult.

"We have seen that these substances can kill many times, and this is another tragic case. You don't know what illegal drugs contain or what reaction you may have to them - but it could be fatal. I urge anyone considering taking drugs to think twice and reconsider.

"I also ask that parents have open and honest conversations with their children about the dangers of drugs, even if you think this does not apply to them. Tell them about Lucy. Doing so may save the life of your son or daughter, someone's sister, brother or friend."