Dealer sold ecstasy to children aged 12

COURT: Fife drug peddler facing jail for targeting youngsters through social media

A Fife man who sold drugs to children after targeting them on social media is facing jail.

Kyle Mitchell, 19, of Lennox Court, Glenrothes, admitted being concerned in the supply of ecstasy tablets to youngsters in the town.

Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard Mitchell gave a 14-year-old girl a tablet, which he said would cost £10, after being contacted by her on social media.

The girl and her friends, aged between 12 and 14, pooled their money the following day to buy 17 tablets from Mitchell for £120.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said: “All felt various effects from consuming the tablets and the next day the mother of one of the girl’s friends became concerned about her son’s demeanour.”

Mr Kapadia added the group believed it to be ecstasy and, after taking it, the girl was described as “hyper and jumpy”.

Another member of the group told a guidance teacher at school she and her friends had bought the drugs.

Deferring sentence until July 31, Sheriff Grant McCulloch called for reports and warned that a custodial sentence was under consideration.

A Fife man who supplied ecstasy tablets taken by children as young as 12 could face a custodial sentence.

Kyle Mitchell, 19, of Lennox Court, Glenrothes, admitted being concerned in the supply of the class-A drug at locations in the town between September 15 and 16 when he appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

The court heard how Mitchell gave a 14-year-old girl a tablet after being contacted by her on social media, then gave the same girl 17 tablets for her and her friends the following day.

The offences took place at the Glenwood Centre, Riverside Park, Alexander Road and elsewhere.

Depute-fiscal Dev Kapadia said the teenager was told Mitchell could source tablets for her and contacted him on Facebook Messenger, with Mitchell stating the £10 price of a tablet in his reply.

A short time later the group met Mitchell, who gave her a green tablet which had a logo on it.

Mr Kapadia said the group believed it to be ecstasy, and after taking it the girl was described as “hyper and jumpy”.

The same girl and friends aged between 12 and 14 pooled their money the following day and she bought 17 tablets from Mitchell for £120.

Some of the tablets were green and some were yellow with Gold written on them.

Mr Kapadia said: “All felt various effects from consuming the tablets and the next day the mother of one of the girl’s friends became concerned about her son’s demeanour.

“He admitted he had taken a pill purchased from the accused and the boy’s mother then contacted the police.”

It emerged another member of the group told a guidance teacher at school she and her friends had bought them, prompting a further call to police.

After Mitchell was detained, he told police “no comment” and was later arrested and charged.

Solicitor Martin McGuire said his client acknowledged how serious the offence was, adding he has experienced difficulties with ADHD and anxiety for which he receives support.

Sheriff Grant McCulloch called for reports and warned that a custodial sentence was under consideration.

“You’ve pled guilty and accepted your responsibility for what is an extremely serious offence, namely supplying drugs to young persons much younger than you” he told Mitchell.

“Such drugs have been known to cause death, yet you have decided it was appropriate to sell these to children.”

Sheriff McCulloch deferred sentence until July 31.