This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_east/8168160.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Toddler drug death parents jailed Toddler drug death parents jailed
(about 4 hours later)
The drug addicted parents of a toddler who died after swallowing the heroin substitute methadone have been sentenced to 12 months in jail each. The drug addicted parents of a toddler who died after swallowing the heroin substitute methadone have each been sentenced to 12 months in jail.
Dylan Thomas Hughes, two, collapsed at the family home in Nantymoel, near Bridgend, in May last year.Dylan Thomas Hughes, two, collapsed at the family home in Nantymoel, near Bridgend, in May last year.
Paul Hughes, 31, and Krystal Jones, 26, admitted last month to causing or allowing the death of a child.Paul Hughes, 31, and Krystal Jones, 26, admitted last month to causing or allowing the death of a child.
Hughes was also jailed for a further four months for drug offences at Newport Crown Court.Hughes was also jailed for a further four months for drug offences at Newport Crown Court.
He had pleaded guilty to supplying methadone and possession of diazepam and cannabis.He had pleaded guilty to supplying methadone and possession of diazepam and cannabis.
The pair were originally charged with their son's manslaughter, which they denied.The pair were originally charged with their son's manslaughter, which they denied.
Cardiff Crown Court heard last month that his parents both accepted responsibility for leaving their son unsupervised with methadone.Cardiff Crown Court heard last month that his parents both accepted responsibility for leaving their son unsupervised with methadone.
There was evidence of neglect of failing to insulate their child from the dangers of their drug addiction Prosecutor Robin Spencer QC It was accepted by everybody in court that these were loving and doting parents who clearly did not intend this to happen but through their neglect it did Christopher Woolley, chief crown prosecutor
On Friday, Newport Crown Court heard it was one of 42 bottles of the bright green heroin substitute left within reach of the toddler. On Friday, Newport Crown Court heard Hughes and Jones were each prescribed seven bottles of methadone a week lawfully by a pharmacist in a bid to wean them off their heroin habits.
His parents were each prescribed seven bottles of methadone a week in a bid to wean them off their heroin habits. The court was told that Dylan had been due to go into hospital for a routine operation and his mother had packed a bag, complete with her doses of methadone, for the stay in hospital with her son.
Prosecutor Robin Spencer QC, said: "It was neglect to expose their son to methadone. Both were heroin addicts receiving methadone lawfully from their pharmacist. But the operation was cancelled because the toddler was ill and he went to bed.
"Dylan was two years and two months old when he ingested a significant amount of methadone. He collapsed and they immediately contacted emergency services but he died the next day. His parents later noticed he had become limp and that something was wrong.
"A large number of methadone bottles and containers were found lying around in easy reach of a two-year-old. The pair rang for emergency services immediately and his father started CPR, which was carried on for four hours by doctors at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
"There were 76 methadone bottles in the house and 42 were within reach of a child of his ability. However, Dylan died of methadone poisoning.
"There was evidence of neglect of failing to insulate their child from the dangers of their drug addiction. Suicide attempt
The court heard his parents were "grief stricken" by his death and attempted suicide by taking a cocktail of drugs and alcohol a month later.
The prosecution, defence and the judge - Nicholas Cooke QC, Recorder of Cardiff - were united in their belief that Hughes and Jones were "devoted" and "loving" parents but that their drug addiction caused them to lose sight of the danger of leaving their methadone around the house.
The court heard Dylan had drunk from one of 42 bottles of the bright green heroin substitute left within his reach.
They had child-proof caps but Dylan had managed to open one.
The real hate figures who are responsible for this child's death and countless other deaths and suffering are drug dealers Nicholas Cooke QC, Recorder of CardiffThe real hate figures who are responsible for this child's death and countless other deaths and suffering are drug dealers Nicholas Cooke QC, Recorder of Cardiff
Prosecutor Robin Spencer QC, said: "There was evidence of neglect of failing to insulate their child from the dangers of their drug addiction.
"Dylan's death was caused by an unlawful act.""Dylan's death was caused by an unlawful act."
Dylan was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he died of methadone poisoning. A post mortem examination revealed a "significant level" of methadone in Dylan's blood.
A post mortem examination revealed a "significant level" of methadone in his blood.
The court heard Jones and Hughes attempted suicide by taking a cocktail of drugs and alcohol a month after their son died.
Nicholas Cooke QC, Recorder of Cardiff, said: "The real hate figures who are responsible for this child's death and countless other deaths and suffering are drug dealers."
The court heard social services were not involved with the family despite them both being registered heroin addicts.
Tests on Dylan's hair showed he had also been exposed to heroin, cannabis and diazepam.Tests on Dylan's hair showed he had also been exposed to heroin, cannabis and diazepam.
Judge Cooke said the case was "difficult" and that the parents should not become "hate figures", adding: "The real hate figures who are responsible for this child's death and countless other deaths and suffering are drug dealers."
The court heard Dylan had been on social services's at risk register for three months after he was born.
But social workers were happy with the way he was being cared for at home and he was not on the register when he died.
'Tragic case'
Following the court case, Bridgend Local Safeguarding Children Board released a statement saying it was carrying out a serious case review into the circumstances surrounding Dylan's death.Following the court case, Bridgend Local Safeguarding Children Board released a statement saying it was carrying out a serious case review into the circumstances surrounding Dylan's death.
"The thoughts of the Bridgend Local Safeguarding Children Board are with all those who have been affected by this tragic event," it said."The thoughts of the Bridgend Local Safeguarding Children Board are with all those who have been affected by this tragic event," it said.
"The board is currently carrying out a serious case review into the circumstances surrounding the death."The board is currently carrying out a serious case review into the circumstances surrounding the death.
"This is in line with the 'Working Together To Safeguard Children' criteria established by the National Assembly for Wales.""This is in line with the 'Working Together To Safeguard Children' criteria established by the National Assembly for Wales."
Christopher Woolley, chief crown prosecutor with the CPS in south Wales, said it was a "very tragic case".
"It was accepted by everybody in court that these were loving and doting parents who clearly did not intend this to happen but through their neglect it did," he added.