Man admits supplying Ecstasy to death-fall law student

A MAN has admitted supplying Ecstasy to a teenage student who later fell over a balcony and died.

Alexander Chippindale, 20, accepted he supplied drugs to Luke Johns shortly before the 19-year-old fell nine floors from a stairwell at his halls of residence.

Law student Mr Johns, from Pontypridd, had consumed a large amount of alcohol, taken MDMA (Ecstasy) and smoked cannabis before the fall.

The University of Plymouth student suffered fatal head injuries after he fell at his halls, called Discovery Heights, in the city centre in the early hours of February 19 last year.

At an inquest into his death, held in January, a coroner returned a conclusion of accidental death.

Chippindale, of South Milton Street, Cattedown, Plymouth, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court to plead guilty to supplying MDMA to Mr Johns on February 19 last year.

He denied possession of the same Class A drug with intent to supply on that date.

Chippindale also pleaded not guilty to being concerned in the supply of MDMA between September 2016 and February last year.

Judge James Townsend set down a trial to take three or four days, starting on June 19.

Chippindale was released on unconditional bail until that date.

The inquest heard in January that the teenager, who was 6ft 8ins, died from multiple head injuries.

Toxicology tests showed he had 196mg of alcohol in 100ml of his blood – about two and a half times the legal drink-drive limit.

Mr Johns had MDMA in his system but at a level well below the toxic range. It could have had a significant impact on his balance, coordination and judgement, the inquest heard.

The teenager returned to his halls in Cobourg Street before his death and continued drinking and playing games in the communal area. He left the room after becoming unwell.

A security guard said he saw Mr Johns lean over the balcony before falling.