Mum & stepdad of Thornton drugs mule Jensen Westhead, 20, who died in Dubai hotel on trial for manslaughter
20-year-old Jensen Westhead, of Hatfield Close, Thornton was found dead at the Avalon Hotel on December 5, 2024, the day after he arrived in the United Arab Emirates after flying in from Manchester Airport.
The mum and stepfather of a Thornton drugs mule who died in a Dubai hotel room after a package of cocaine he had swallowed burst open in his stomach are standing trial accused of his manslaughter.
20-year-old Jensen Westhead, of Hatfield Close, Thornton was found dead at the Avalon Hotel on December 5, 2024, the day after he arrived in the United Arab Emirates after flying in from Manchester Airport.
It is thought Jensen swallowed a number of packages of cocaine at a hotel in Manchester before catching his flight. Prosecutors believe at least one of the packages burst inside his stomach, causing a fatal overdose.
This week five people, including Jensen's mother, Rebecca Hatch, 45, and her husband Glenn Hatch, 51, are standing trial at Preston Crown Court charged with manslaughter and drugs offences.
All five deny manslaughter.
The Crown Prosecution Service allege Mr and Mrs Hatch, of Hatfield Close, Thornton assisted the conspiracy by helping Jensen renew his passport and taking him to the airport with full knowledge of the purpose of his trip to Dubai.
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Also in the dock is Alexander Tofton, 33, of Tewkesbury Drive, Lytham. He is accused of running the UK arm of the international drugs operation and having recruited Jensen.
His co-defendant Joseph Watson is alleged to run the Dubai arm and met with the courier when he arrived in the Emirates.
The fifth defendant Steven Stephenson, 48, of St Lawrence, Denton, Manchester is accused of meeting with Jensen at a hotel close to Manchester Airport shortly before his flight. Stephenson's fingerprints were recovered from one of the packages removed from Jensen's stomach during the post mortem investigation into his death.
Rebecca Hatch, Glenn Hatch, Alexander Tofton, and Steven Stephenson, are charged with Conspiracy to fraudulently evade the prohibition on exportation of a class A drug from. Stephenson has also been charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
All five deny manslaughter. The trial continues.