A refuse collector has pleaded guilty to supplying drugs to a 15-year-old girl shortly before she collapsed in a park and died.

Jacob Khanlarian, 20, admitted five counts of supplying cannabis and MDMA – ecstasy – to Leah Kerry and others.

Khanlarian, from Newton Abbot, Devon, supplied MDMA to Leah on 14 July – the day before she died, Exeter crown court heard.

Leah, of Salisbury, Wiltshire, fell unconscious at 4am in a park on Saturday 15 July and was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.

At the time it was believed that Leah had taken a new psychoactive substance (NPS), formerly known as a legal high.

Two other girls believed to have taken the same substance as Leah in Bakers Park in Newton Abbot were taken to hospital as a precaution and later released.

The case against Khanlarian was adjourned until next month to await the completion of toxicology tests on Leah.

Following Leah’s death Khanlarian handed himself into police and has been in custody since. He has no previous convictions.



Khanlarian’s solicitor Jeffrey Segan said: “There was a fatality involved in this case. It would be a betrayal of common sense to suggest that sentence should proceed while there remains some doubt about the exact circumstances and the part played by the drugs supplied by my client.”

After Leah’s death, her parents urged other teenagers to “make better and safer choices”.

In a statement issued through Devon and Cornwall police, Leah’s family described her death as “the most painful experience that we have all ever had to endure”.



They said: “Leah was a delightful, strong-willed, caring and compassionate child and had developed into a courageous and confident young woman who was ready to take on the world.

“Leah had the benefit of good information and advice from many different sources at various intervals of her adolescent life. Leah was well aware of the nature of different illicit substances and the risks attached.

“Sadly, despite being well aware of the risks, she thought she was invincible and she rolled the dice and has paid the ultimate price.

“If there are any young people who have known Leah, or who have heard about her story, I would urge them on Leah’s behalf to not make the same mistake and to make better and safer choices when out in the community.”