Jay Conway, the 21-year-old former boyfriend of Lennix Hughes, a 16-year-old schoolgirl who died after taking ecstasy he supplied, has been released from prison early. He served just four months of his 15-month sentence under the early release scheme, with his release reportedly taking place in late May.
Fatal drug party in Dundee
Lennix Hughes died after "bombing" the Class A drug at a house party in Dundee in March 2023. Conway, who was 18 at the time and working as an apprentice plumber, was jailed in January this year for supplying the drug on the night of her death. He also admitted peddling Class B cannabis for more than two months in what was described as a "sophisticated operation".
The Scottish Prison Service confirmed Conway is no longer in custody, according to the Daily Record. Miss Hughes made herself "a number of MDMA bombs" and swallowed them "quickly" when she was invited to Conway's drug party, which he referred to as a "Mandy session".
Medical emergency and death
After ingesting the MDMA wraps, Miss Hughes became "manifestly unwell", with her jaw becoming "locked and she began convulsing for a short period of time before she stopped breathing". Members of Conway's family rushed to help before police and paramedics arrived.
On March 3, 2023, Conway and a friend were "bombing" MDMA by wrapping the powder in cigarette paper and swallowing it between 10pm and 11pm at his home in Dudhope Gardens. Miss Hughes was then invited to the party and arrived around 2.10am, fiscal dispute Alistair McDermid said. He added: "Shortly after arriving, she asked the accused if she could take some of the MDMA. He accepted and she made herself a number of 'bombs' and swallowed them." They explained to police that they encouraged her to stop taking them as she was taking them quickly. Conway had bought 3.5g of MDMA in powdered form before inviting friends over for the "Mandy session".
Police raid and evidence
A police raid on Conway's home showed he was actively involved in the distribution of cannabis, with £200 in cash, scales and grinders all seized from the outbuilding where he was living. "Vigorous" attempts to save Miss Hughes were made but she was pronounced dead after being taken to Ninewells Hospital. She had a "high quantity" of MDMA and other substances in her system at the time of her death, a post-mortem examination revealed. Four wraps were found in her stomach. Images of cannabis and evidence of negotiations for a wholesale deal and arrangements for drop-offs were found on Conway's two mobile phones. One of the devices also contained a group chat on the encrypted Telegram network related to drug-dealing.
Sentencing and early release
When sentencing, Sheriff Niven-Smith said: "There is something I wish to say for the family and friends of Miss Hughes who died as a result of the ingestion of ecstasy you provided to her. She was vulnerable, 16 at the time, and you were 18. As a matter of public record I am not sentencing you for culpable homicide, nor for culpable and reckless conduct. I must not allow the tragic death of Lennix Hughes to influence my decision on sentencing here as that would be to err in law."
The early release scheme was launched to deal with overcrowding in prisons. Short-term offenders have walked free after serving 50 per cent of their sentence. In May this year, the prison population climbed to another all-time high.
