Pensioner sentenced over woman's morphine death

An 83-year-old man has been spared jail after giving morphine to a woman which resulted in her death.

Lily Gomes, 27, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire died in hospital from morphine toxicity on 18 February 2025, after she was offered the drug by Jeffrey Sutton, also known as Arthur.

She had fallen unconscious at his home in Cotswolds in the town four days after he had offered her the drug.

Sutton was sentenced on Friday at St Albans Crown Court to 26 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of offering to supply morphine to three different women, including Lily.

Hertfordshire Police arrested Sutton on 16 February 2025 on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

Speaking outside court Lily's mother, Nina Gomes, 54, described Sutton as a "dangerous predator" who "should not simply be allowed back into the community.

She added: "No amount of justice can undo the devastation her death has caused to our family and most importantly her children."

Gomes said Sutton had responded to Lily when she posted a message on social media in 2022, asking for painkillers to help with her severe back pain following a caesarean section.

She said Lily had not used morphine before but had used other drugs such as cocaine and codeine.

In a statement read out in court, Gomes said: "Lily was struggling with addiction and was easily influenced. I believe that vulnerability was known and exploited.

"Two children have lost their mother. Two sisters have lost their sister. I have lost my daughter."

Det Con Andreea Stanoiu-Diaconu, who investigated the case, said: "This case should be a stark reminder of what can happen when prescription medication and controlled drugs are misused.

"They must never be offered to other people like Sutton chose to do."

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