Hatfield man avoids jail after offering morphine to overdose victim

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 14:44 · Archive

An 83-year-old Hertfordshire man has received a suspended sentence after offering morphine to three women, one of whom died.

An 83-year-old Hertfordshire man has avoided jail after offering morphine to three women, one of whom died from an overdose. Jeffrey 'Arthur' Sutton, of Cotswolds in Hatfield, was sentenced to 26 months in prison, suspended for two years, at St Albans Crown Court after pleading guilty to three counts of offering to supply morphine.

One recipient was 27-year-old mother-of-two Lily Gomes, also from Hatfield. She fell unconscious at Sutton's home and was taken to hospital by ambulance after he was unable to wake her. Gomes died in hospital on 18 February 2025 from morphine toxicity.

Gomes's mother described lasting anger over her daughter's death in a statement read to the court. "I continue to feel anger when I think about how vulnerable Lily was. She was struggling with addiction and was easily influenced," she said. "I believe that vulnerability was known and exploited. That is something I find impossible to accept and impossible to forgive." Detective Constable Andreea Stanoiu-Diaconu said the case served as a reminder that prescription medication and controlled drugs must never be offered to others.

How it is being reported

• Herts man avoids jail after offering morphine to mother who died from overdose83-year-old Hatfield man Jeffrey 'Arthur' Sutton has avoided jail after offering morphine to mother-of-two Lily Gomes, who later died from an overdose.Herts Advertiser · 9 Oct, 14:12
• Herts man avoids jail after offering morphine to mother who died from overdose83-year-old Hatfield man Jeffrey 'Arthur' Sutton has avoided jail after offering morphine to mother-of-two Lily Gomes, who later died from an overdose.The Comet · 9 Oct, 14:12

In this story: Jeffrey 'Arthur' Sutton · Lily Gomes · Hatfield · St Albans Crown Court · Hertfordshire

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem