A MAN from Barrow has been given a suspended jail sentence after he admitting supplying controlled drugs to his friend who later died.

David Mark Stagg, of Arnside Street in Barrow, was charged with four offences following the death of 52-year-old Steven Pearson on July 2 of last year.


Mr Pearson was found at his home address in Smeaton Street after police were called to the property.

Three men and a woman were later arrested. Two of the men, and the woman, were later released without charge.

Stagg, 49, was charged with supplying a Class A drug, namely morphine, to Mr Pearson; supplying a Class C drug, namely tramadol, to Mr Pearson; offering to supply a Class A drug, namely morphine, to two other people, and; offering to supply a Class C drug, namely tramadol, to the same two people.

On the night before he died, Mr Pearson had taken some of Stagg's prescription medication in a bid to seek relief from a long-term back problem. He later died.

At Preston Crown Court on Friday, Stagg was sentenced after he had pleaded guilty to supplying the Class A and Class C drugs to Mr Pearson. The other two charges were dropped by prosecutors.

Stagg and Mr Pearson had been good friends for around five years. It is understood that Mr Pearson's family had sent a letter to the court in support of Stagg.

Stagg was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and must complete a rehabilitation activity with the Probation Service and pay a £115 victim surcharge.