THREE men charged as part of a probe into the death of a man at the Kendal Calling music festival have appeared in court. 

Simon Chapman, 21, of Race Grove, Millom, has been charged with conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug.

Michael Mountfort, 42, of Oak Drive, Denton, Manchester, has been charged with conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug.

Luke Nathan Fraser, 21, Oakfield Grove, Manchester, has been charged with conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug and supplying a Class B controlled drug.


Christian Pay The three men were arrested as part of an investigation into the death of Christian Pay, 18, from Millom, who died on July 31.

Last year hundreds of people paid tribute to Mr Pay after he took a substance at Kendal Calling and later died in Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.  

His death which occurred on the first day of the three-day-festival sparked a police investigation. 

The ex pupil of Millom School had been studying motor vehicle maintenance at Furness College in Barrow. 

Nine people, including Mr Pay, were admitted to hospital after drug use at the music festival. 

One of the people admitted was Mr Pay's friend, Jordan Blackburn from Millom. 

After his recovery Mr Blackburn spoke out to urge others to not make the same mistake as he did. 

He said: "Many lives over the weekend, not just those lost, but the families of those involved have been destroyed, including my own by the careless use of uppers at festivals.

“I really think I need to raise awareness and show people what the consequences are just off a little pill.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have a second chance at life and I’m clinging to every part for me and Chris, so the most I can do is let people know the consequences they put themselves in and their family.”

At the time of the incident superintendent Justin Bibby said: "Christian’s death, along with the number of people admitted to hospital, underlines the dangers of taking drugs.

"Our advice will always remain that you should not take any drug as you cannot be sure what it contains and the effect it will have on you."

The three men appeared at Carlisle Magistrates' Court this morning. They are charged with conspiring together to supply a class A drug, known as PMA, to another at Penrith between April 16 and August 1 last year. During the brief hearing, it was confirmed that no pleas were being indicated to the charge by any of the men. 

Their case was committed to Carlisle Crown Court, where they are next due to make an appearance on March 14. In the meantime, magistrates remanded Chapman, Fraser and Mountfort on unconditional bail.