AN 18-year-old from Cornwall has pleaded guilty to supplying ecstasy to teenagers, including a 16-year-old schoolgirl who died from a suspected overdose.

James Greaves, previously of Basset Road, Camborne, but now of Hatt, near Saltash, admitted being concerned in the supply of ecstasy, properly known as MDMA, between November 23 and December 3, 2022.

The drug supply has been linked to the death of Exmouth Community College student Lucy Hill, aged 16, who died on December 3, 2022 five hours after collapsing at the Move night club in Exeter shortly after midnight.

Police said at the time that a number of teenagers may have taken tablets containing unknown substances during a 16-18s music night at the club on Exeter Quay.

A second man, Taylor Rowsell, of Rosebery Road, Exmouth, has already admitted the same charge at an earlier hearing before Exeter Magistrates.

The two defendants appeared together at Exeter Crown Court where Greaves entered his plea for the first time. They were both granted bail by Recorder Eleanor Hourigan, who adjourned sentence until October 18 and ordered pre-sentence reports.

She told them that the case would be sentenced by a different judge and that they should cooperate with the probation service in the preparation of the reports. 

Miss Emily Cook, for Greaves, said he has serious mental health issues which will have to be taken into account when he is sentenced. 

Mr Brian Fitzherbert, for Rowsell, said both defendants were very young at the time of the offences. 

At the opening of Lucy Hill’s inquest a few days after her death, area coroner Alison Longhorn said: "The circumstances of her death are that she had been out at a nightclub with friends and took a tablet, believed to be MDMA. Shortly afterwards she became unwell and was taken to the RD&E where she later died.” 

Exmouth Community College posted a tribute on its website to Lucy after her death. It said: "Lucy was a kind, considerate beautiful person. She was very well-liked by her peers and the staff who knew her well.

"She was always smiling, looking out for others and many of her friends benefited from her loyalty and care. She was bright, hard-working and well-motivated.

"She was predicted to perform at the very highest level in her GCSE subjects. She will be greatly missed but has left us all with fond memories of the lovely person that she was. 

"The college has been left reeling from the shock of Lucy not being with us anymore. Her friends, teachers and peers have shown amazing fortitude and support for each other. 

“We have received many messages and offers of support for these young people, and we thank those members of the Exmouth and wider community who have contacted us."