Man killed friend by injecting heroin dose for him, court is told

A MAN killed his friend by injecting heroin after the victim couldn’t find a vein, the High Court has heard.

Mantas Cepas (32) administered the lethal dose to Stephen Millington during a twoday drinking binge with their partners in Newry last month, a judge was told.

The defendant, a Lithuanian national, from Cowan Street in the city, is charged with manslaughter, along with possessing and supplying class A drugs.

Bail was refused amid claims he may flee the jurisdiction.

Mr Millington (51), who was originally from South Africa, died of the suspected overdose at his Dublin Road flat on January 17.

Police called to the scene found him unconscious on the bathroom floor. He was pro- nounced dead a short time later.

Prosecution counsel David McClean said when officers arrived Cepas was holding a syringe.

The two friends’ girlfriends were also present, with one of them stating that Mr Millington had given the accused £40 to go out and buy drugs.

Cepas returned with heroin powder and then prepared it in solution form, the court heard.

Mr McClean said: “The witness stated that the deceased hadn’t injected heroin prior to this... and asked for the applicant’s assistance.”

During interviews Cepas admitted purchasing the drugs with money provided by his friend. According to his account, he mixed it up with water on a spoon and then agreed to inject it for Mr Millington.

“He said he asked the deceased if he was okay as he administered the injection, and got the response that it was ‘good stuff ’,” Mr McClean continued.

Cepas tried to perform first aid before phoning for an ambulance, the court heard.

Defence barrister Kevin Magill argued that his client provided a full account of what happened.

Mr Millington was to be “first in the queue” for the heroin before others in the flat took their turn, counsel said.

“He tried to self-administer, only when he couldn’t find a vein he asked the defendant to administer on his behalf,” Mr Magill contended. “That’s why the defendant finds himself here, because he acted on that request.”

The barrister added that Cepas has been left deeply upset over the loss of his friend.

Denying bail, Mr Justice Burgess said: “I think there must be concern on the part of the court that this applicant may well decide to leave the jurisdiction.”