Man guilty of manslaughter after daughter, 2, drinks methadone from Tom and Jerry cup
A DRUG addict has been found guilty of manslaughter after his daughter died when she drank methadone stored in a Tom and Jerry cup.
Two-year-old Sophie Jones tragically died a day after she was rushed to hospital by paramedics, who found her covered in vomit and unresponsive.
Her parents Barry Jones, 41, and Michelle King, 29, used heroin and crack cocaine on a daily basis and stored methadone in the toddler's drinking cup.
Police described the act as leaving a "loaded gun" in the reach of a child and said it was a "chaotic and reckless use" of drugs.
Despite denying causing her death Jones was found guilty of manslaughter at Preston Crown Court today following a trial.
Storing methadone in a child's drinking cup is akin to leaving a loaded firearm in the reach of a child
His partner King pleaded guilty to the charge at an earlier hearing and the parents will be sentenced next month.
Little Sophie was found unresponsive by an ambulance crew when they arrived at her family home in Blackpool, Lancashire on March 4 around 11.44pm.
Police were called and the toddler was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital but died the next day.
Toxicology tests confirmed the child had ingested methadone.
Detective Inspector Andy Cribbin of the Force Major Investigation Team said: "Sophie's death was as a direct result of the actions and neglect of her parents, the two people who should have protected her from coming to any harm whatsoever.
"Her death was wholly avoidable and was brought about by their chaotic and reckless use of illegal and prescribed drugs within the family home.
"In particular, storing methadone in a child's drinking cup is akin to leaving a loaded firearm in the reach of a child, the outcome was almost inevitable.
"Barry Jones never accepted any responsibility for his role in this tragic event."
Mr Cribbin added: "I would like to thank the jury for their careful consideration of all the evidence in what was a distressing case.
"I would also like to thank members of the local community who came forward as witnesses and enabled us to piece together the actions of both defendants in the weeks and hours leading up to Sophie's death.
"Their evidence provided a disturbing insight into King's and Jones's drug abuse.
"The thoughts of myself and the investigation team as a whole are with Sophie's family and we hope the conclusion of the criminal case brings some comfort to them."
