Jacques Gerard Lakeman and Torin Callan Lakeman · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 4th December 2014 I commenced an Investigation into the deaths of Jacques Gerard Lakeman, 20 years, born on the 27th February 1994 and Torin Callan Lakeman, 19 years, born on the 30th May 1995. The Investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on 28th April 2015.

The medical cause of death in relation to both Jacques Gerard Lakeman and Torin Callan Lakeman was: 1a) Fatal MDMA toxicity.

The conclusion of the Inquest in relation to both Jacques Gerard Lakeman and Torin Callan Lakeman was Misuse of Ecstasy.

1. Jacques Gerard Lakeman and Torin Callan Lakeman died at ████████. The Grapes Public House, Stoneclough, Bolton on the 1st December 2014.

2. Jacques and Torin were brothers, who met in Manchester on the 29th November 2014 to attend a football match on the same day played between Manchester United and Hull City at Old Trafford, Manchester.

The brothers were born in the Isle of Man and at the time of their deaths Jacques was working in London and Torin was a student studying at Aberystwyth University, Wales. They travelled separately to Manchester on the 29th November 2014 before going to the Grapes Public House, where they had arranged to stay overnight.

3. They attended the football match during the course of the afternoon of the 29th November 2014 before returning to the Public House at approximately 20:00 hours in the evening.

4. Both men were seen at approximately 21:15 hours on the same evening when they visited a nearby shop before returning to the Public House and they went to their room shortly after returning from the shop.

5. Jacques and Torin were not seen again after approximately 21:30 hours on the evening of the 29th November 2014 until they were found on the 1st December 2014 after concerns were raised by their family when they failed to return to their addresses in London and Aberystwyth respectively.

6. Evidence was given at the Inquest by a friend of Torin, who was a fellow student at Aberystwyth University, that Torin had obtained MDMA (Ecstasy) during the week prior to the 29th November 2014 by using the Internet.

He used the Internet by a route referred to as the “Dark Internet” or the “Dark Web”, which exists as a form of a “secret” Internet behind a veil and hidden from legitimate Internet use. The website used by Torin was named as Agora and he used a method of access named as “Tor”. Evidence was also given that illicit substances, including Class A drugs and prescribed medications, could be obtained by use of the website.

7. The Ecstasy drug was obtained by Torin using the Internet and the drug was delivered to Torin’s home address in Aberystwyth by post in a padded envelope using the Postal System.

It is not known whether the drugs were supplied from an address in the United Kingdom or whether the drugs were imported from abroad.

1. During the Inquest evidence was heard that:

i. Torin had received supplies of drugs, prior to November 2014, by use of the Internet using the “Dark Internet” or “Dark Web”.

The Inquest heard that access to the “Dark Internet” or “Dark Web” would be difficult without having knowledge or expertise in relation to Internet access but young persons, particular intelligent University students, would find access to the websites to be relatively easy and it would not be difficult for such persons to obtain access to illicit activities, including the supply of illicit drugs.

The websites are anonymous and there is no contact information with regard to the address or location of the owners of the website nor with regard to the suppliers of illicit drugs.

ii. The constituent parts of the drugs, including the strength and content of the drugs, are unknown and may contain contaminants and further illicit substances creating an additional risk.

iii. There is no regulation of the supply of drugs by use of the Internet and there is no protection in place in relation to the delivery or importation of drugs using the Internet and delivery to a United Kingdom postal address by use of the Postal System.

iv. The evidence raised concerns that future deaths will occur unless action is taken to review the above issues, particularly in view of the supply of illicit drugs, including Class A drugs, by use of the Internet.

v. On the 30th March 2015 I reported a similar concern to you relating to the death of Jason Houghton, who died on the 30th June 2014 from the combined toxic effects of illicit drugs obtained by use of the Internet.

2. I request that you consider the above concerns particularly in regard to the following:-

i. The supply and importation of drugs, including Class A drugs, in the manner and in the form described in this report, by use of the Internet.

ii. The regulation of the Internet, which may be difficult if not impossible, in relation to the supply of drugs and delivery of drugs to addresses in the United Kingdom by use of the Postal System.