Drug-dealing Fraserburgh mum jailed after baby boy died from ingesting drugs

Amy Beck, 32, was sentenced to seven years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Published 10th Apr 2024

A Fraserburgh mum has been jailed after her baby boy died from being exposed to narcotics.

Amy Beck, 32, was convicted of exposing her three-month-old child to Mephedrone, also known as M-Cat, and MDMA, known as ecstasy.

Her baby boy died on the 22nd of December 2019 as a result of ingesting Mephedrone combined with the effects of peritonitis infection.

At the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday 10 April, Judge Fiona Tait said "a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal in your case."

Judge Tait noted as a drug dealer, Beck "allowed drugs and other drug users to be in close proximity to your children and therefore exposed the three children to the risk of significant harm to their health".

Seven years in prison

Following a trial at the High Court in Aberdeen in March, Beck was convicted of being in the supply of Mephedrone over a three-year period, and an additional three charges of wilfully exposing children to controlled drugs in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to their health.

On sentencing, Judge Fiona Tait noted Beck has experienced a "significant level of trauma" in life which has been further impacted by the death of her infant son.

Judge Tait said: "I have listened carefully to what Mr Moggach has said on your behalf this morning and take all of the points advanced in mitigation into account in determining a suitable sentence in your case.

"I have given careful consideration to the criminal justice social work report and risk assessment.

"I am mindful that you did not intend to harm any of your children nor that your infant son die. However, as a drug dealer and a drug user, you allowed drugs and other drug users to be in close proximity to your children and therefore exposed the three children to the risk of significant harm to their health.

"In the case of your infant son, the ingestion of Mephedrone combined with the effects of peritonitis resulted in his death.

"Accordingly, because of the gravity of the charges, individually and in accumulation, a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal in your case."

Amy Beck was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.