Drug dealer jailed

In September 2020, two days after his 15th birthday, Joshua Reeson died from taking the illegal drug, MDMA, also known as ecstasy.

The investigation into Joshua’s death uncovered a drug dealing conspiracy whose members, some aged under 18 at the time, were subsequently charged with multiple drug offences. Alexander Leonard (Leo) Payne, 20, of Overdale Road, Middlesbrough pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply MDMA, conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply tetrahydrocannabinol - the key psychoactive chemical found in cannabis - and conspiracy to produce tetrahydrocannabinol. He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

(Alexnader Leo Payne)

Sian Roe, 37 and Jay Baxter, 22 of York pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis. Sian Roe received an 18 month community order and 80 hours unpaid work. Jay Baxter was also handed an 18 month community order, 100 hours unpaid work and a 25-day rehabilitation order.

(Jay Baxter)

(Sian Roe)

A fourth suspect, Joseph Gilchrest, 21, of Cherry Wood Crescent, York, pleaded guilty to failing to disclose a passcode to allow investigators access to a device. He was sentenced to eight months in prison.

The investigation was launched following reports that three teenagers had been taken to hospital suffering from the effects of a drug overdose. Sadly, Joshua was critically ill and subsequently died as a result of taking MDMA.

Enquiries revealed that the drugs had been supplied from Tang Hall, York. They were bought via the social media app, Snapchat.

Officers attended the property and arrested Payne along with Sian Roe. They seized multiple drugs and drugs paraphernalia from the property including liquid tetrahydrocannabinol, citric acid, grip gags, grip bags containing cocaine, digital scales with traces of MDMA and cocaine on them, multiple packages containing baked goods, multiple bottles of unknown liquids, MDMA packaged in grip bags and MDMA tablets. In total drugs and ingredients with a street value of over £10,000 in were seized from the address.

The investigation showed that some of the drugs paraphernalia had been ordered online and delivered to Jay Baxter at a property in Tang Hall.

Officers were able to prove that all three conspired together to supply and produce illegal drugs, some of which resulted in Joshua’s death.

Following sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer, Nichola Holden said: “My thoughts are with Joshua’s family and friends.

“We would urge anyone who is involved in this type of criminality to look at the death of Joshua and ask the question, is it worth it?

“The use of drugs in York and North Yorkshire will not be tolerated and we will continue with our fight to take drugs off the streets to prevent any further tragic incidents of this nature.

“The sentencing of Gilchrest in December last year also shows that if a suspect is not willing to cooperate with the police as the law states they should, then we will ensure that they face the consequences for this.”