Two youths admit supplying ecstasy which killed Northallerton teenager Leah Heyes

Mitchell Southern was the one who handed the Class A drug to the teenager last May while Connor Kirkwood has admitted supplying his friend with the ecstasy pill in the car park where the youngster died last May.

Kirkwood’s barrister Helen Chapman said her client maintains that he didn’t know the drug was to be supplied to a 15-year-old.

Police and Ambulance Services attended Northallerton’s Applegarth Park after Leah Heyes collapsed before the teenager was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where she later died.

Flowers being laid in tribute to Leah Hayes

Vicki Lamballe, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court how Kirkwood was present when the drug deal was carried out but wasn’t the one who directly supplied the drug to the teenager.

Judge Howard Crowson said: “Given the tragic outcome, because it was supply to someone underage, it will be an aggravating matter.”

Outlining some of the details in the case, Miss Lamballe added: “The first count (Southern) is the supplying of MDMA to Leah. The second count (Kirkwood) is him supplying the drug to Southern, who then hands it to Leah.”

Southern, 19, of Dondeen Avenue, Thirsk, pleaded guilty to charges of supplying cocaine and ecstasy on May 11 last year.

While Kirkwood, 18, of Lynx Lane, Dishforth Airfield, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to supplying ecstasy on the same day.

The case was adjourned until August 25 when the pair will return to court to be sentenced.

Judge Crowson warned: “Between now and then, the probation service will want to speak to both of you. If a telephone call is made for you by the probation service don’t miss it.

“The report could be useful for you. Don’t misunderstand that because you are being released on bail it is possible that you will end up in custody.”

The teenager’s death sent shockwaves through the community and hundreds of flowers were placed in the car park as tribute to the teenager.

Her mother Kerry Roberts, pictured with Leah, described her daughter as her best friend.

Leah Hayes with her mother Kerry Roberts

In an emotional statement released at the time of her death, she said: “Leah was my best friend. She was a thoughtful, beautiful girl, who was much-loved. She was fun, bubbly, and had a great sense of humour.

"I'm absolutely heartbroken to have lost my beautiful girl. No words can describe how much she will be missed and the enormous gap she has left in our lives.

"She will be truly missed more than words can say. I love you always."

And her father left an emotional note at the scene at the time, reading: “To my beautiful daughter Leah, I can’t believe you have gone, I still can’t believe it and never will.

“Fly high and be happy. Until we meet again, you will always be in my thoughts, love you millions babe, hugs and kisses, love DAD xxxxx.”