A MOTHER battling to stop drugs being supplied to children after her 15-year-old daughter was given a fatal dose has vowed to carry on the fight to change the law, despite being turned down by the Home Office.

The Government says it has no plans to make supplying drugs to under 16s a specific offence. Kerry Roberts, from Northallerton, is campaigning for Leah’s Law in the name of her daughter, who died after being given large doses of ecstasy.

More than 10,000 people signed her petition calling on the Government to change the law. But in reply the Home Office said: “Protecting children from harm is a priority for government. However as existing offences already apply for drug supply, we have no plans to make it a specific offence to supply a child with drugs.

“The death of Ms Roberts’ daughter, Leah, is a tragedy. We can assure you that this Government takes drug misuse very seriously. Drugs can devastate lives, ruin families and damage communities.  This Government’s approach to them remains clear, we must prevent drug misuse in our communities and support people through treatment and recovery.

“It is an offence under section four of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to supply a controlled drug to any person. This does not differentiate between different classes of person based on age or any other characteristic.

"The offence is made out simply where a person supplies a controlled drug to another person or offers to supply a controlled drug to another person. It would therefore be an offence under section four of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to supply a controlled drug to a person under the age of 16.

“Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the penalty for supply of Class A drugs is up to life in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Supply of Class B and Class C drugs has a penalty of up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.”

Leah died in May 2019 after being supplied with two large doses of ecstasy during a gathering in the Applegarth car park in Northallerton. Within hours she was dead. Two teenagers, aged 17 and 18 were prosecuted for supplying Class A drugs and sentenced to 21 months and 12 months behind bars.

Ms Roberts said the response from the Home Office is disappointing but she had expected that it would be turned down at this stage, and the campaign for Leah’s Law will carry on.

“I am working with North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe and MP Kevin Hollinrake is due to raise the law in Parliament," she said.

"There is a lot going on behind the scenes. If anything this has made me more determined. It could take months, years even but I will carry on the campaign, no other family should go through this.”