Christopher Hotten QC secures manslaughter conviction for methadone mother

Fri, 06 Mar 2015

A mother who killed her son by feeding him methadone to make him sleep has been jailed for six years.

Kelly Emery, 34, gave it to her son, Fenton Hogan, to “knock him out” whilst she took cocaine.

It was heard that Emery gave the heroin substitute on at least 3 occasions before his death in July 2013.

Emery admitted to manslaughter by gross negligence but the jury concluded she deliberately gave the drug to him and so was found to be guilty of the more serious charge.

Leading the investigation, Detective Inspector Bob Sutton, said: "Any child death is a tragedy. Fenton Hogan was almost two years old and should have had the rest of his live to look forward to. Instead his short life was taken by the actions of his mother, who should have been there to safeguard and protect him.

"Kelly Emery’s life was influenced by her addiction to drugs. She has today, rightly been convicted for her actions.”

Click here to read the full article in the Express and Star and BBC News.

Click here to view the Christopher Hotten QC's full profile.

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