Leah's Law: A Northallerton mum whose daughter died after taking drugs says laws are out of date
Kerry Roberts is campaigning for Leah's Law - which would make supplying drugs to under 16s a specific offence
Last updated 17th Jan 2022
A mum from Northallerton who lost her daughter to drugs is hoping to speak to Justice Secretary Dominic Raab in her bid to change the law.
Kerry Roberts wants selling drugs to under 16's a specific offence - creating what would be known as "Leah's Law".
It's after her 15 year old daughter Leah Heyes died after taking MDMA in 2019.
Those responsible for selling the drugs to Leah were handed sentences of 12 and 21 months.
Kerry believes the pair should have been handed tougher sentences as they knowingly supplied drugs to a minor.
Ms Roberts has been telling Greatest Hits Yorkshire current laws are out of date and need modernising:
"Leah's Law is simply about modernising the law. Legislation at the minute is very, very old and it needs to be modernised for our communities - and it needs to be done now - it's just out of date.
"It doesn't fit in now with what goes on nowadays. The law just don't seem to fit with the crimes and criminals. I think Leah's Law is a modern version and updating the laws is important to show what sadly can happen."
MPs support
Kerry has met with several MPs who are backing her calls for a change in law.
Malton and Thirsk MP Kevin Hollinrake is now asking a question in parliament on the issue.
He is asking justice secretary Dominic Raab if the government has any current plans for that law change to be made.
Ms Roberts has also met with Northallerton MP and Chancellor Rishi Sunak and is holding talks with new North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe this week.
Leah's Law
Called Leah’s Law, Kerry now wants to get 100,000 people to sign a petition to persuade ministers to look at changing the law and to make supplying drugs to children under 16 a specific offence.
Kerry continued: "When police said to me, she consented, this is why they won't get a longer sentence - because, by law, she consented.
"And my argument is she was 15-years-old. She was a child, by law, she was a minor.
"She couldn't consent to buying alcohol or having sex - none of that is legal at her age."
And Ms Roberts concluded: "I'm not going to stop because I need to make it clear, a change in law needs to happen."
To sign the petition calling for Leah's Law, click here.