Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jan 2003
Source: Eastern Daily Press (UK)
Copyright: 2003, Archant Regional
Contact:  http://www.edp24.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/131

TWO IN COURT AFTER GIRL'S DRUG DEATH

A woman is due in court today charged in connection with the death of
a 14-year-old girl from a suspected drugs overdose.

Jennifer Harpley, 14, of San Francisco Walk, Carlton Colville, near
Lowestoft, died in hospital at 8.30am yesterday.

She had been admitted to the accident and emergency depart-ment at the
James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, on Sunday.

Claire Jillings, 22, of Chaukers Crescent, Carlton Colville, is due
before magistrates in the town today charged with manslaughter and
supplying controlled drugs.

Carl Balls, 35, of Montgomery Avenue, Lowestoft, has been charged with
supplying controlled drugs to Jillings, and is also due to appear
before Lowestoft magistrates today.

The community was in shock yesterday over the death of the teenager
after a suspected overdose of drugs including heroin.

The teenager died at 8.30am yesterday, about 18 hours after she was
rushed unconscious from a friend's house in Harebell Way, Carlton
Colville, near Lowestoft, to the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston.

Jennifer lived yards away at San Francisco Walk.

A post-mortem examination was carried out by a Home Office pathologist
yesterday and it is thought she died after taking an overdose,
including heroin and the heroin substitute methadone.

It is not clear where the teenager had taken the drugs, but she had
been at the friend's house when she lost consciousness, prompting a
desperate phone call to the ambulance service. Paramedics were called
at 1.15pm on Sunday and an ambulance service spokesman said a rapid
response crew arrived seven minutes later and tried to revive the girl
who was unconscious but breathing.
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MAP posted-by: Derek