Man, 21, jailed for supplying drugs to Wiltshire teenager who died
21-year-old James Willett was sentenced to four years in prison
Last updated 10th Nov 2025
A 21-year-old man from Andover has been jailed for four years after supplying cocaine to a teenager who later died.
James Willett, of Dines Meadow, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs at Salisbury Crown Court before the jury was sworn in on the first day of his trial.
The court heard that in March 2023, Willett supplied three grams of cocaine to 16 year old Daniel.
According to a medical report Daniel, from Tidworth died due to complications prompted by cocaine toxicity.
After a coronal investigation into the circumstances of Daniel’s death, text messages from Willett were found on Daniel's phone, which lead to Willett being arrested and charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
At his sentencing, on Wednesday (November 5), Willett was jailed for 4 years, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228,.
A further £215 was forfeited to be paid to charity and his phones and drugs seized and destroyed.
In a statement issued by police Daniel's family said:
“The loss of Daniel has affected us in so many ways.
"The wave of emptiness after his death was immense, it felt like everything had come to an unbelievable end.
"Even in the past days, weeks, months, and years we have felt so shallow, broken, and lonely. I fear that these feelings will never disappear.
"I am glad that this ordeal through court is now over and that he has finally accepted his part in our son's death.
“Our family can now have some closure and begin to grieve.
"I would urge parents, other family members, and friends to protect your loved ones from those who seek to harm or exploit them, by assisting the police and to report your concerns to Crimestoppers anonymously.”
Candida Jackson, a Local Crime Investigator said:
“This is a tragic case where greed outweighed morality, resulting in Daniel’s death.
“I hope this sentence sends the message that supplying drugs to any person, let alone a young person, is dealt with robustly.
“I hope that Daniel’s family can now obtain some closure and start their grieving process.”
Officer in charge of the case, Detective Constable Martyn Powell, said: “When dealers supply illegal drugs to another person, they know that they are putting the health and life of that person at risk.
“It may not have been Mr Willett’s intent for the drugs he supplied to kill anyone, but nevertheless he knew that this could have happened.
“I praise Daniel’s family for the patience that they have shown in waiting for justice to be served.”