HEROIN APPEAL UPHELD

Source : 14/12/2001 Northampton Chronicle and Echo

A heroin addict, who encouraged his friend to inject the drug and then saw him die, had had his conviction for manslaughter overturned at London's Court of Appeal.

The man, of Oak Street, Northampton, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Edward Escott on a 10-2 majority at Northampton Crown Court this year.

The 33-year-old was given a three-year jail term.

Yesterday three judges ruled that although 'the man' had supplied Escott with the heroin and suggest he inject it, his conviction should be quashed.

Lord Justice Keene said 'assistance or encouragement' was not necessarily enough to found a manslaughter conviction.

He added that although there may not be much 'moral' difference between supplying the drug and actually injecting it into a victim's veins, legally there was.

He said: 'For the reasons given, this conviction cannot be regarded as safe and the appeal will be upheld.'