Hamilton girl almost died after taking ecstasy

Oct 22 2009

A HAMILTON teenager was last week placed on probation for selling ecstasy tablets to a schoolgirl and her friend.

Both girls collapsed after taking the drug and the condition of one of the girl’s was described as “life threatening” by a doctor.

Eighteen-year-old Craig McDougall, of Townhill Road, admitted charges of supplying the class-A drug to a 15-year-old girl and her friend on April 19 this year.

A condition of McDougall’s one-year probation term was that he carried out 240 hours’ community service.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that both girls fainted after taking the drug.

The 15-year-old, who has since turned 16, became seriously ill and almost died.

The procurator fiscal had told the court that McDougall had met the girls in Blantyre and sold them 10 tablets.

The girls swallowed five tablets each. A short time later the 15-year-old felt unwell.

She had difficulty breathing, the fiscal depute told Hamilton Sheriff Court, and an ambulance was called.

Paramedics treated her at the scene.

When her friend also collapsed, both girls were taken to Wishaw General Hospital.

The 15-year-old was taken to the critical care unit where she was put on a ventilator.

A consultant, said the fiscal depute, described her condition as life-threatening.

She needed to stay in hospital for three days for treatment although her friend was released from hospital after two days.

McDougall’s solicitor, Sandy Morrison, said his client had been acting out of character.

He also pointed out that McDougall regretted his involvement in the matter.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Joyce Powrie told McDougall he had behaved stupidly.

She added: “If you break your probation, there is only one place you are going.”