A nurse who admitted supplying drugs to a student who subsequently died has been allowed to continue practising after a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) fitness to practise hearing. Nathan Pavlovic, 21, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, was one of three undergraduates who died in Newcastle halls of residence within two days in September 2020, shortly after arriving for the new academic year.
Circumstances of Nathan Pavlovic's Death
Nathan, a third-year forensic computing student, took the Class A drug MDMA, which a court later heard was supplied by George Harle, then a student nurse. Harle pleaded guilty to supplying MDMA in July 2025 and received a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, along with 150 hours of unpaid work. By that time, Harle, of Shield Street, Newcastle, had become a registered nurse, having joined the NMC register in 2022.
NMC Fitness to Practise Hearing
Harle referred himself to the NMC after being charged in 2024. At the hearing last month, the committee heard that Harle now works in a children's heart unit. He expressed deep regret for his role in Nathan's death. A report of the hearing quoted Harle as saying: "You said that you make no excuses and that you do not blame anyone else. You said that you understand how serious the offence is and the kind of implications it had on yourself and those around you and (Nathan's) family."
Harle detailed work and research he had done in honour of his friend to raise awareness and prevent others from following his path. He said: "You said that you love your current job in the children’s heart unit and that you find it is a real privilege and an honour to work there and look after those families in their time of need. You said that you would always regret your actions that led up to that day. You said that you accept full responsibility for your actions and that the conviction is yours."
He described the difference between "the boy you were and the man you are now" and noted he self-referred to the NMC because he believed it was the right thing to do as a nurse to keep everyone safe.
Defence and Panel Decision
On Harle's behalf, Alejandra Llorente Tascon of the Royal College of Nursing argued the incident was a "joint enterprise" among friends who decided to obtain drugs to share at a social gathering. She said Harle bought the drugs on behalf of the group but was not responsible for what each person chose to take.
After hearing the evidence, the panel decided Harle could remain on the nursing register but would be subject to a caution order for three years. This means anyone who enquires about his registration will be informed of the caution. The panel stated: "The panel considered that you have made a great success of your life over the past six years and noted that you have undertaken research into drug use and young people. You have continued to work as a volunteer and had shown insight and self-awareness about the impact of your actions on (Nathan's) family and friends. The panel is of the view that there is a low risk of repetition based on the level of remediation that you have demonstrated."
Impact on Nathan's Family
Nathan's parents, Alex and Beth, have spoken of the devastating impact of his death. They revealed that every Christmas they begin their day with a visit to the cemetery to be with their son. Beth said: "He had been drinking with his friends and made a bad decision. Can you 100% say you know what’s in that substance you have been offered? It could be filled with rubbish or it could be a lethal dose. You are playing Russian roulette with your own life." Alex added: "Nathan was an intelligent lad, this was the first time he had taken anything like this and we don’t know how or why he was persuaded and let his guard down."
Related Deaths and Drug Supplier
Nathan's death occurred the same weekend as that of Stephanie Sillifant, 18, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, who died of natural causes. An inquest into the death of Jeni Larmour, 18, from Northern Ireland, revealed the former head girl died from a combination of alcohol and ketamine, the illegal drug being provided to her "by another."
Kasam Ali, of Croydon Road in Arthur's Hill, Newcastle, sold the drugs to Harle. He pleaded guilty to possession of MDMA, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis with intent to supply and was jailed for three years and seven months.
