Father faces charge of manslaughter

A father has appeared in court accused of killing his 17-year-old daughter who died after taking drugs.

Jason Wilkes, 44, is charged with the manslaughter of Chloe Wilkes and supplying class A drugs.

He appeared at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday and was remanded in custody until November 3, when he is expected to enter pleas.

Wearing an open-necked blue shirt and dark trousers, Wilkes was expressionless in the dock as he spoke only to confirm his name.

Wilkes was arrested after Chloe’s death on July 27 at their home in Tunbridge Way, Singleton, Ashford.

The popular teenager had taken the ecstasy-style MDMA drug.

An inquest into her death heard she felt unwell and collapsed. Chloe was rushed to the William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, where she died later that day.

Friends of the former North School pupil took to social media to express their shock and heartache. Chloe left The North School last year.

Executive head teacher Jon Whitcombe said: “These are a desperately sad set of circumstances and our thoughts are with family and friends at this most difficult of times.”

The inquest will be resumed at a later date, when more evidence will be heard and a conclusion reached as to the cause of death.