Eddlewood drugs death: man on supply charge

Jun 5 2008 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A MAN has been charged with supplying drugs to James Nelson who died of a suspected overdose.

The 31-year-old died in Hairmyres Hospital when he was taken there after falling ill at a house in Parks View, Eddlewood, on Thursday, May 22.

The following day Garry James Stewart, of Falconer Terrace, Fairhill, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court charged with supplying drugs.

He made no plea or declaration when he appeared in private in front of a sheriff.

The 37-year-old was remanded in custody pending further police investigations.

Stewart made a second appearance at Hamilton Sheriff Court last Friday.

He faced a second charge of ‘culpable homicide drugs’.

It’s alleged that Stewart supplied a potentially fatal dose of drugs to a person who subsequently died.

Stewart made no plea or declaration and was given bail.

No date has been set for him to appear in court again.

Police sources told the Advertiser they received a call from the ambulance service on Thursday, May 22, to say they had taken James to hospital.

They believed he was suffering from an overdose of drugs, possibly heroin.

Paramedics reported to police that James had died at hospital later that day.

A post mortem was set to be carried out on James last Friday.

James is survived by his mother Isobel, brother Stephen (30) and 28-year-old sister Kirsty.

James, a former Quarter Primary and Hamilton Grammar pupil, was well-known in the Eddlewood area.

Following her son’s death, Isobel, of Forrest Avenue, Eddlewood, told the Advertiser: “James’s death has been really upsetting for us.

“We are still trying to come to terms with it.

“He was ill for a long time – now he’s at peace.”