A WOMAN who gave a Class C drug to a friend the day before he was found dead has appeared at court on Wednesday.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court heard how Charlene Carey, 26, gave the man tempazepam on Tuesday, April 28, this year, however, it did not contribute to his death.

David Carmichael, prosecuting, said the defendant was at her friend’s house when she supplied him with one tempazepam tablet, the day before he was found dead.

Liz McGowan, mitigating, said: “The one tablet was not the cause of death, she knew him well and they used to give each other drugs, that’s how their relationship worked.

“During the night he passed away and Ms Carey had to wait from the end of April until June 19 for the toxicology report to come back.

“She had on her mind that she had caused the death of her friend but that certainly is not the case.”

Carey, of Elmfield Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to supplying a Class C drug and was fined £37.

She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and criminal court costs of £180.