Telford drug dealer knew 'Superman' pills were dangerous

Now, after being found guilty of supplying the Superman ecstasy-like pills that have been linked to the "hugely catastrophic" death of Mr Bagnall, the Polish drug dealer is beginning a six-year prison term.

The warning demonstrated that Malolepszy knew he was handing out dangerous pills, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told, yet he went ahead with the sale anyway.

"You warned that more than one should not be taken," said Judge Jim Tindal as he handed down his sentence.

"You knew the drugs were dangerous, and that is why you gave the warning. On top of other drugs, there is clear medical evidence that a very significant contributing part of his death was following the deal you did with him."

Malolepszy, of Redlands Road, Hadley, Telford, is now starting a six-year prison sentence after being found guilty of being concerned in the supply of Class A drug Para-Methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) and possession with intent to supply 120 PMMA tablets bearing a Superman logo.

The drugs of the type he supplied have been linked to the deaths of three people – 27-year-old Mr Bagnall, and two men in Ipswich on Christmas Eve 2014 and New Year's Day 2015.

The pills – similar to ecstasy – are red, triangular and embossed with the Superman 'S' logo. Suffolk Police said it had tested the pills and found PMMA, a stronger and more dangerous active ingredient than those usually found in ecstasy.

This is not the first trial that has led to a custodial sentence for supplying the deadly Superman pills.

A teenager who supplied the distinctive ecstasy-style tablets linked to two deaths over Christmas has been put behind bars.

Adrian Lubecki admitted supplying the Class A drugs – which were triangular, red and carried the Superman 'S' logo – that led to the deaths in Ipswich of 23-year-old Justas Ropas on Christmas Eve 2014 and Gediminas Kulokas, 24, on New Year's Day.

Factory worker Daniel Bagnall, 27, from Telford, was also found dead on New Year's Day at his home in Ketley after taking one of the red pills.

But Lubecki has not been charged with being the supplier in Mr Bagnall's case, even though police believe the pill Mr Bagnall took was from the same faulty batch which caused the deaths of the two Suffolk men.

The deaths prompted Suffolk Police to issue a warning over the pills, saying they contained PMMA, a stronger and more dangerous active ingredient than those usually found in ecstasy.

Other police forces across the country echoed this alert.

Lubecki, from Ipswich, admitted supplying Class A controlled drugs and possession with intent to supply a Class B drug.

On March 12, 2015 the 19-year-old was sentenced to five years and four months detention at Ipswich Crown Court, Suffolk Police said.

Chief Superintendent Jon Brighton, of Suffolk Police, said: "Lubecki's sentencing reflects the seriousness with which drug offences are taken.

"Our message is clear – the supply of dangerous drugs will not be tolerated and every effort will be taken to bring those responsible to justice. The tragic deaths of two men in Ipswich led to an extensive police operation, not only to locate anyone supplying the drugs but also to ensure that communities were aware of the dangers and risks associated with taking them.

PMMA is similar to MDMA (the chemical in ecstasy). It can make you feel alert, alive and full of energy. Its similarity means that PMMA is actually sometimes sold as ecstasy. However, PMMA is more poisonous and can kill at lower doses than MDMA. Also like MDMA, it can cause a fatal rise in body temperature.

The effects of PMMA take longer than MDMA to begin to be felt – so some users have overdosed by taking pill after pill thinking nothing is happening, which can also be fatal.

"Strictly legally you are not fully responsible for Daniel Bagnall's death, but you have some responsibility," Judge Tindal said. "You still have a considerable length of your sentence to serve, and you can reflect on the damage you did."

Malolepszy was also sentenced to one year in prison for possession with intent to supply a quantity of amphetamine and one year in prison for possession with intent to supply cannabis. The sentences are to run concurrently. The 29-year-old was found not guilty of one other indictment, namely supplying Class A drug PMMA on 31st December 2014, when he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court. He was sentenced at the same court yesterday.

Malolepszy was accused of selling drugs to Nathan Crossley on New Year's Eve 2014 and to Mr Bagnall, a father of three, the following day. Mr Bagnall was found dead at his home in Woodside Road in Ketley at about 1.45pm on New Year's Day.

During the trial of Malolepszy, the court heard police raided a property where the defendant was listed as a tenant at the time in High Street, Hadley. Officers found a substantial amount of cannabis, pills and a set of electric weighing scales.

The court heard Malolepszy voluntarily attended the police station following a call from an officer after the raid, and said he had moved out and sub-let it to another Polish couple.

He was later picked out of an identity parade by Nathan Crossley and Carl Dicken, who had been with Mr Bagnall when he bought the drugs.

Oliver Jarvis, defending, told the court that Malolepszy had been a drug user who had begun dealing to pay for his own habit.

After a jury convicted Malolepszy, Judge Tindal said that Mr Bagnall's death was still a source of considerable pain to his family, particularly his parter Stacey Picken, the mother of Mr Bagnall's three children, and his mother Sharon Peters.

"His partner Stacey has been left alone with three children, one disabled, to bring up by herself," the judge said.

"The consequences for her have been hugely catastrophic.

"Mr Bagnall's mother Sharon has also found the experience harrowing and it has affected her mental health.

"I would like to pay tribute to the dignity she has shown in this case."

He said that Malolepszy was partly responsible for Mr Bagnall's death, which was an aggravating factor to the sentencing of the case.

He added: "I cannot compensate the family for losing him and my sentence cannot reflect the value of Daniel's life in a meaningful way. Drugs not only ruin lives, they also kill."

Malolepszy, who is originally from Poland, now faces automatic deportation following his release, though his family will still live in England.

His case was first heard in early 2015, but the trial collapsed in July after one jury member had received medical advice that he was no longer fit enough to continue. Malolepszy was remanded in custody from that date, which Judge Tindal said would contribute to the time he had to serve following the sentence.

Following the conclusion of the case, Detective Sergeant Jez Gardner said: "I hope this sentence sends out a clear message to those involved in the supply of drugs that you will be caught and brought to justice."

In April 2015, a 21-year-old was cautioned after police seized more than 400 of the red, triangular pills.

Anyone with information about the supply of illegal substances is asked to call police on 101.