Mutiny inquest: Friend denies selling young dad deadly pills at festival

THE friend of a young dad who died at Mutiny Festival after taking drugs told his girlfriend he sold two ecstasy tablets to his pal, a court has heard.
Josh Thorne, pictured right, gave evidence during the inquest into the death of Tommy Cowan at Mutiny Festival 
Picture: Sarah Standing (180828-8765)Josh Thorne, pictured right, gave evidence during the inquest into the death of Tommy Cowan at Mutiny Festival 
Picture: Sarah Standing (180828-8765)
Josh Thorne, pictured right, gave evidence during the inquest into the death of Tommy Cowan at Mutiny Festival Picture: Sarah Standing (180828-8765)

Josh Thorne claimed to have given Tommy Cowan two double-strength '˜Silver Audi' pills during the music event in May.

The revelation was made during the final day of the inquest into Tommy's death, at a hearing in Portsmouth Coroner's Court.

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Mr Thorne later said in police interview that he did not remember ever sending the text and denied having sold Tommy drugs at the festival.

Josh Thorne, pictured right, gave evidence during the inquest into the death of Tommy Cowan at Mutiny Festival 
Picture: Sarah Standing (180828-8765)Josh Thorne, pictured right, gave evidence during the inquest into the death of Tommy Cowan at Mutiny Festival 
Picture: Sarah Standing (180828-8765)
Josh Thorne, pictured right, gave evidence during the inquest into the death of Tommy Cowan at Mutiny Festival Picture: Sarah Standing (180828-8765)

However, Det Con Alastair Charnley read out a summary of the police interview which included text messages Mr Thorne sent to his girlfriend after hearing of Tommy's death.

Det Con Charnley told the court: '˜Thorne text his girlfriend saying: 'So do I, waste of life that is... I'm worried about Tommy now though. I sold him two pills but then again I took the same pills and I'm fine.'

Det Con Charnley earlier said Mr Thorne claimed he had been looking after five pills given to him by a friend.

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Speaking of the first time Mr Thorne  saw Tommy at the festival, Det Con Charnley said: '˜Thorne said Tommy had come over to the group he was with and flopped down onto the floor behind them. He said Tommy leaned over and hugged him from behind.

Josh Thorne leaving court flanked by two police officers 
Photo: Sarah Standing (180828-8822)Josh Thorne leaving court flanked by two police officers 
Photo: Sarah Standing (180828-8822)
Josh Thorne leaving court flanked by two police officers Photo: Sarah Standing (180828-8822)

'˜Thorne said Tommy opened his bumbag and he had pills in there. Thorne said that he asked Tommy where he had. Tommy said he had bought five pills and had done two of them and they were 'unreal'.'

'˜Thorne said he did not have nor had he taken any drugs. He said his friend had five pills with the Audi symbol on and some ketamine in powder form.

'˜He said his friend was in a state and had asked him to look after the pills for him. He said he agreed and put the pills and powder in his cigarette tin and would give them back to him later.'

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However, after being shown the text message to his girlfriend, DC Charnley said: '˜Thorne said he took a lot of cocaine on Friday and that he doesn't remember sending his girlfriend that message. 

'˜Thorne said that he did not got to Mutiny with any pills. He did not have any pills and he didn't sell any pills.

'˜He said he sent that message to his girlfriend as he was trying to look good to her. He said that all the boys were on pills and he wanted to fit in.

'˜He wanted to fit in as he had never fitted in anywhere and that's why he does cocaine at the pub he goes to '“ because they might accept him.'

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