This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk-news/2013/jul/03/parents-jail-toddler-heroin-death

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Parents jailed over toddler's heroin death Parents jailed over toddler's heroin death
(about 1 hour later)
A father has been jailed for killing his young son after negligently allowing him to ingest heroin in the family home. A father has been jailed for killing his young son by negligently allowing him to eat heroin in the family home.
Simon Jones, 30, was sentenced to six years behind bars after previously admitting manslaughter by gross negligence of 23-month-old Daniel Jones. Simon Jones, 30, was sentenced to six years after he had previously admitted the manslaughter by gross negligence of 23-month-old Daniel Jones.
Daniel's mother, Emma Bradburn, 34, was also jailed for four years after she admitted allowing the child's death.Daniel's mother, Emma Bradburn, 34, was also jailed for four years after she admitted allowing the child's death.
Sentencing the couple at Wolverhampton crown court, Mrs Justice Thirlwall said there was no doubt the couple – both long-term heroin users – had loved Daniel, but added: "It is one thing to risk your own health but quite another matter entirely to risk your son's. Passing sentence at Wolverhampton crown court, Mrs Justice Thirlwall said the couple – both long-term heroin users – had undoubtedly loved Daniel.
"He [Daniel] was utterly reliant upon you for every aspect of care in his life." But she added: "It is one thing to risk your own health but quite another matter entirely to risk your son's … he was utterly reliant upon you for every aspect of care in his life."
Daniel was pronounced dead after being found collapsed at the family's three-bedroom property in Wolverhampton, on 29 May last year. Daniel was pronounced dead after he was found collapsed at the family's three-bedroom property in Wolverhampton on 29 May last year.
His death was initially treated as unexplained but following extensive tests it was determined that he had died from heroin poisoning, caused by an overdose. His death was initially treated as unexplained, but extensive tests determined that he had died from heroin poisoning caused by an overdose.
Mrs Justice Thirlwall told Jones and Bradburn: "You failed woefully to protect him from the very obvious dangers you exposed him to. Thirlwall told Jones and Bradburn: "You failed woefully to protect him from the very obvious dangers you exposed him to.
"The danger was mortal danger, as you should have realised.""The danger was mortal danger, as you should have realised."
Jones fully accepted he was responsible for his son ingesting a tiny – yet lethal –amount of heroin, as he had been using the drug around the time Daniel died. Jones fully accepted that he was responsible for his son ingesting a tiny but lethal amount of heroin, as he had been using the drug around the time Daniel died.
Following his arrest, shortly after the toddler's death, Jones tested positive for the drug while Bradburn did not. Following his arrest, shortly after the toddler's death, Jones tested positive for the drug but Bradburn did not.
Examination of a sample of Daniel's hair revealed the presence not only of heroin, but also amphetamines, cocaine and cannabis.Examination of a sample of Daniel's hair revealed the presence not only of heroin, but also amphetamines, cocaine and cannabis.
His parents said they never smoked heroin or cannabis in front of their son. But it was revealed that Daniel slept in their bed. Police found tin foil stained with a brown residue, empty clingfilm packets and other paraphernalia associated with the transport and use of heroin in the bedside tables.His parents said they never smoked heroin or cannabis in front of their son. But it was revealed that Daniel slept in their bed. Police found tin foil stained with a brown residue, empty clingfilm packets and other paraphernalia associated with the transport and use of heroin in the bedside tables.
When police searched the rest of the family home, they found a cannabis factory in the loft where more than 30 plants were growing.When police searched the rest of the family home, they found a cannabis factory in the loft where more than 30 plants were growing.
Thirlwall told Jones he had set up the cannabis-growing operation "in the home your son was living" and said to Bradburn that despite her claims not to have known the scale of that operation, she still knew of it and did nothing to stop it.Thirlwall told Jones he had set up the cannabis-growing operation "in the home your son was living" and said to Bradburn that despite her claims not to have known the scale of that operation, she still knew of it and did nothing to stop it.
Bradburn and Jones were due to stand trial last month, but pleaded guilty on the first day of the hearing.Bradburn and Jones were due to stand trial last month, but pleaded guilty on the first day of the hearing.
The court also heard that just two weeks before his death, social services removed Daniel from a child in need plan as they were satisfied with the care he was receiving at home.The court also heard that just two weeks before his death, social services removed Daniel from a child in need plan as they were satisfied with the care he was receiving at home.
If he had survived, Daniel would have celebrated his third birthday last week.If he had survived, Daniel would have celebrated his third birthday last week.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.