The rapper convicted of his girlfriend's manslaughter after giving her a party drug then filming her fatal reaction was today jailed for eight-and-a-half years.
Ceon Broughton, 30, was found guilty of being responsible for the death of Louella Fletcher-Michie, 24, after he 'bumped up' her dose of the hallucinogenic drug 2-CP.
He was also convicted at Winchester Crown Court of supplying his on-off girlfriend with the drug before her death at the Bestival festival in Dorset in September 2017.
A statement from him was read in court today, saying: 'Sorry I didn't do more to save Louella. Sorry for the suffering I caused to everyone. I want to make things right.'
Ceon Broughton (left), 30, was found guilty of being responsible for the death of Louella Fletcher-Michie (right), 24, at the Bestival music festival in Dorset in September 2017
Holby City star John Michie arrives with his wife Carol Fletcher-Michie at Winchester Crown Court in Hampshire this morning for the sentencing of their daughter's killer Ceon Broughton
Broughton is brought to Winchester Crown Court in Hampshire this morning in a prison van
Broughton (left) had been on trial in Winchester over the death of Miss Fletcher-Michie (right)
Miss Fletcher-Michie, daughter of Holby City actor John Michie, died in woodland an hour before her 25th birthday at the site at Lulworth Castle.
Visibly emotional and tearful, Mr Michie said in court today: 'I wake up every morning to face life starting again without Louella, our daughter, our sister, our friend.
'For what? It makes no sense. [We have had to endure] a trial where we have been subjected to the horrible truth of Louella's lonely death.
'I go to bed every night with thoughts of how Louella cried out to her mum and dad, brother and sister, to help her. But there was only one person who could have helped.'
Her mother Carol added: 'On the outside we look the same as we did before. On the inside, our heart and soul have been ripped out, trampled over and stuffed back in.'
And her sister Daisy said: 'I feel like I've lost my parents and brother too. Everyone has been shattered to pieces. I couldn't be alone or get to sleep for months.
'I was told by a trauma therapist I have PTSD. I really can't see a future where pain doesn't cloud over it all. Every single day I try to understand why Ceon didn't help Louella.'
The defendant showed no emotion as the verdicts were announced by the foreman of the jury yesterday - and the court received the announcement in silence.
Broughton, of Enfield, north London, sat down with his hands held together in front of his face as the judge, Mr Justice Goose, said he intended to sentence him today.
Miss Fletcher-Michie (second right) and Broughton (far right) at a family dinner with her actor father John, mother Carol, brother Sam, sister Daisy and her boyfriend Jamie Jamieson
Miss Fletcher-Michie's father and mother, Holby City actor John Michie and his wife Carol, are pictured outside Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday
The court was shown harrowing footage of his victim screaming like a 'wild animal', hitting herself and even heard a clip of her being urged to stop trying to eat thorns.
Miss Fletcher-Michie, a yoga and dance teacher, took the drug at Bestival on September 10, 2017, and died an hour before her 25th birthday in woodland.
It was first reported yesterday that towards the end of the trial, Mr Michie confronted the defendant in a court waiting area and called him evil.
Miss Fletcher-Michie's sister Daisy also told him: 'All we wanted from you was an apology.'
Broughton was seen to lose his temper and damaged a table and a water cooler.
During his trial, the prosecution said Broughton failed to take 'reasonable' steps to seek medical help for Miss Fletcher-Michie.
The jury was shown videos taken by the defendant as her condition worsened - and possibly after she had died.
In clips shown to the court, Miss Fletcher-Michie repeatedly shouts at Broughton to telephone her mother, Carol Fletcher-Michie, but he tells her to 'put your phone away'.
Her mother eventually contacted Broughton at 6.48pm and heard her daughter 'screeching' before she rushed with her husband to the festival site in a bid to find her.
Miss Fletcher-Michie's father posted this photo online of them on a bench after her death
Miss Fletcher-Michie, with her father John Michie, in a picture he posted online after her death
John Michie with his daughter Miss Fletcher-Michie (left) who died after taking the party drug
John Michie and his daughter Louella as a child. She died at Bestival in 2017 after taking drugs
Prosecutor William Mousley QC claimed Broughton did not get help because he was handed a suspended jail term one month earlier and feared the consequences.
It can now be reported that the suspended sentence was for two charges of possessing a knife.
Mr Mousley said Broughton had given the drugs to Miss Fletcher-Michie and therefore had a duty of care to look after her.
Miss Fletcher-Michie was found dead by a security steward in woodland, 400 metres from the festival's hospital tent, at about 1am.
A post-mortem examination found '2-CP toxicity' and traces of ketamine and MDMA.
Professor Charles Deakin, a consultant in cardiac anaesthesia and intensive care, told the court she had a 90 per cent chance of survival if she had been given medical help.
But Stephen Kamlish QC, defending, said the expert witness had acknowledged she might not have survived even with medical help.
He added that Broughton, who denied supplying the drugs, had felt unable to leave his girlfriend alone in the woods while she was suffering a 'bad trip' and he had not realised she was at risk of death.
John Michie (left) posted this picture on Instagram last September on the one-year anniversary of the death of his daughter Louella (right). Also pictured is his wife Carol Fletcher (centre)
The scene at Bestival where Miss Michie's body was discovered by police on the edge of the festival site, which covers hundreds of acres close to the landmark Durdle Door
CCTV footage showing Miss Fletcher-Michie in a grey hooded top and Broughton in fluorescent trousers (circled) walking together at Bestival in Dorset in September 2017
He said Broughton had sought help through text messages and sending his GPS position through the mobile phone app Google Maps.
Broughton, who performs under the artist name CEONRPG and has recorded music with Skepta, previously pleaded guilty to supplying 2-CP to Miss Fletcher-Michie and another person at the Glastonbury Festival earlier in 2017.
In a statement released through Mr Michie's agent shortly after his daughter's death, the family said: 'Our hearts are broken by this horrific tragedy.
'Louella inspired all who knew her with her joy of life.'
Ex-Coronation Street and Taggart actor Mr Michie, 62, and his wife Carol - a former Hot Gossip singer - have two other children, Daisy and Sam.
Speaking outside the court in Hampshire yesterday, Mr Michie said: 'Regardless of the outcome of this harrowing trial, there were never going to be any winners.
'We began our life sentence on what would have been Louella's 25th birthday, Ceon's life sentence is knowing he didn't help Louella to live.'
Broughton allegedly had a history of giving women drugs and filming them.
It wsa claimed Miss Fletcher-Michie's on-off boyfriend also had an interest in images of 'death' which he kept on his phone.
Jurors were unaware that during the trial that prosecutors sought to submit further evidence which they alleged revealed Broughton's 'pattern of behaviour' and supported their case.
During legal arguments held in the jury's absence, prosecutor William Mousley QC said two short video clips were found on Broughton's phone showing him giving drugs to a woman and 'exhorting her to take more'.
The clips played in court, taken in Toronto, Canada, in April 2017, showed an unnamed woman being offered a substance on a spoon by Broughton which she sniffed.
In one clip Broughton said: 'No, no, you have to do more.' The woman snorted from the spoon again.
Miss Fletcher-Michie's godfather was One Foot In The Grave Star Richard Wilson
A bag containing white powder found in Broughton's phone case which was shown in court
Miss Fletcher-Michie (left, with her mother Carol) became the first person to have ever been killed by the party drugs
Broughton is pictured (bottom right) with London Mayor Sadiq Khan at the 2017 Mobo awards
The court also heard that a woman named Paulina Aberg, who lives in Sweden, claimed Broughton photographed her after she banged her head while taking drugs.
Swedish Paulina Aberg (above) contacted the prosecutor by email and sent a letter to the court after Broughton's trial started
'The defendant gave what is described as a whole lot of drugs to a girlfriend as a result of which she suffered a bad reaction, falling and hurting herself,' Mr Mousley said.
He said Ms Aberg found an image of her on Broughton's phone which she deleted.
'She also says over and above that specific incident that she was aware that the defendant had images of people suffering, including suffering death, on his phone in which he appeared to have some interest,' he added.
Mr Mousley said the potential evidence was 'capable of establishing a pattern of behaviour which supported the prosecution case'.
Broughton's lawyer, Stephen Kamlish QC, said Ms Aberg's claims about her fall were 'not true'.
'Whether or not the defendant was with her when it happened, he didn't know she was hurt because she has to tell him,' Mr Kamlish said.
He said there was evidence that Broughton offered to get her help, adding that Ms Aberg was 'full of resentment' towards him.
Broughton is pictured with rap star Drake in an undated photograph
In 2017, Broughton (left) released the song 'Duracell', which was produced by Skepta
Broughton (right) was born in 1989 and lived in in a small terraced house in Wembley Park
Mr Kamlish argued the evidence might make the jury think Broughton 'took an unhealthy pleasure in Louella's suffering', which had 'never' been the case.
He said Miss Fletcher-Michie had wanted to take drugs at Bestival and Broughton had admitted providing her with some on a previous occasion.
Miss Fletcher-Michie was the daughter of showbiz parents and had two siblings
'This has never been the case of the defendant forcing drugs on anyone, they go off to take drugs together because she wants to,' he added.
'Neither the footage or Ms Aberg's evidence prove that they didn't buy themselves their own drugs sometimes.'
Mr Kamlish also questioned why it was 'relevant' whether somebody might take a 'morbid interest' in the images Ms Aberg described.
In a written ruling given to the Press Association, judge Mr Justice Goose said he rejected the bad character application but made no decision on the 'truth or credibility' of the evidence.
He said the video clips 'offer little, if anything to assist the jury' because the type and supply of the drug being offered was unclear.
The judge added there was 'no doubt the deceased wanted to take drugs' at Bestival and Broughton had already admitted supplying drugs to her in June 2017.
Justice Goose said Ms Aberg's statement had come too late to 'be fair to the defence' and investigating her claims would 'delay this trial substantially'.
Broughton films himself in a video he recorded of Miss Fletcher-Michie hours before she died
A video grab issued by Dorset Police of Miss Fletcher-Michie and Broughton laughing together
Broughton and Miss Fletcher-Michie are pictured together on a Christmas Day previously
The prosecution team that brought Broughton to justice said he put his 'own needs' above taking action to get the urgent medical attention that could have saved Miss Fletcher-Michie.
Simon Jones, senior Crown Prosecution Service advocate, said Broughton failed to help the 24-year-old to avoid being found in breach of a suspended prison sentence he had been given a month earlier.
The prosecution case was that Broughton had supplied Miss Fletcher-Michie with the so-called party drug 2-CP which led to her falling seriously ill and dying.
Mr Jones said: 'He was with her for five to six hours alone. During that period of time he filmed her on his mobile phone so the deterioration in Louella was clear from a number of sources of mobile phone footage.
'It was quite clear she desperately needed medical attention and he failed in the duty of care that he had for Louella, he failed to get her medical attention at that festival.
'They were off-site in a wooded area, he was 80 metres back into the festival, there was an on-site hospital that was 400 metres away, he was with her for a considerable period of time and he did nothing.
'It is fair to say that there were some things he did, but he did not do enough and he failed to take proper care of her.
'The behaviour had to be grossly negligent so as to be criminal and our case was the behaviour was exceptionally bad.
'There were two features of that: Firstly, the recording of Louella in such a distressed state when it was clear he should have been acting when he was filming her.
'Secondly, a big part of the prosecution case as to his reason for inaction was that he had a suspended sentence of imprisonment hanging over him, and he knew the consequence of what he had done, namely supplying, giving, Louella that drug, and so our case was he put his own needs over the obvious need of helping Louella.
'We saw in the video footage there were occasions he was laughing, he was playing with a fidget spinner, and in the background the person he should have been caring for, the person he gave the drug to, was rapidly deteriorating.
'This was clear that this was giving rise to a serious and obvious risk of death and that was the prosecution case.'
Mr Jones said Broughton's lies and failure to give evidence meant the full reason for his inaction would remain unknown.
He said: 'Only Ceon Broughton knows that. He was interviewed by police on a number of occasions, the position he ended up with was actually not answering the police questions.
'We showed that he lied in that interview. He was arrested on that night and he lied about important issues in the case, in particular on the question of drugs, so those lies were part of the prosecution case against him.
'The supply allegation was key to the whole case and it's the prosecution case that Louella was given the drug by Ceon Broughton so he supplied it to her, he gave her that drug.
'It doesn't matter that no money was given, you don't have to supply a drug for money. He gave her that drug of 2-CP on a social supply basis.
'Having given her that 2-CP class A drug, he created a state of affairs that became life-threatening.'
Mr Jones said he had 'utmost respect' for Miss Fletcher-Michie's family.
He said the family had heard 'incredibly hard' evidence, adding: 'They have been witnesses in the case, Louella's brother and sister too.
'After their evidence was given, they have been in court, they have seen and heard other evidence given in the case, they have acted with complete dignity. It must have been incredibly hard for them to see this evidence in court and I have the utmost respect for them.'
Investigation into the death was 'complex and emotional', police say
Senior investigating officer Neil Devoto of Dorset Police outside court yesterday
The police officer who led the investigation into Ceon Broughton described it as complex and emotional.
Neil Devoto, the senior investigating officer, said there were a number of elements that had to be proven for Broughton to be convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence.
Jurors had to be sure that Broughton, 30, owed a duty of care to on-off girlfriend Louella Fletcher-Michie after giving her the class A drug 2-CP at Bestival.
Mr Devoto, of Dorset Police, said any 'prudent and reasonable' person would have realised that the yoga and dance teacher had been put in a life-threatening situation.
'We also had to prove his duty to act, duty to help, duty to care for her,' Mr Devoto said. 'He didn't help and he didn't act and he didn't get care for her.
'This is despite numerous requests and demands from her family and friends to get her to a medical tent, to get her some form of medical assistance.'
Broughton failed to take Miss Fletcher-Michie, 24, a distance of just 80 metres to receive help, instead filming her as her condition deteriorated.
'You may ask yourself why did he carry out that, why did he not get help,' Mr Devoto said.
'We know that he was on a suspended prison sentence. We believe that he wanted to save himself.'
Mr Devoto said the couple went to a wooded area away from the main festival site and took drugs together.
Broughton supplied her with a 'large dose' of 2-CP, a hallucinogenic drug, and remained with her.
As she became more unwell, Broughton continued filming and took images of her after she had died.
'That medical tent was nearby. Help was nearby,' Mr Devoto said. 'We heard from expert witnesses that an early intervention could have saved her.
'A prudent and reasonable person would look at these videos and say, 'She needs medical attention'.
'He was with her for five to six hours as she was deteriorating and it was only after images of her in a deceased state that he came down from his wooded area to one of the security guys and raised the alarm.'
(From left) Senior investigating officer Neil Devoto, Miss Fletcher-Michie's father John Michie, Crown prosecutor Simon Jones and Detective Sergeant David Wise yesterday
After being arrested, Broughton lied throughout his interview, claiming that Miss Fletcher-Michie had obtained the drug herself and taken it.
He denied ever supplying drugs to her, or taking drugs himself.
Broughton declined to give evidence during his trial at Winchester Crown Court.
Mr Devoto said: 'I was surprised that he didn't take that opportunity to come up with what actually happened - why it was that he didn't walk 80 metres to help, or to a nearby medical tent, despite the fact that Louella was in such a distressed state that she had scratches and she had marks from where she had clearly been in the undergrowth, probably as a direct result of taking those drugs, why it was at that certain stage that he didn't go, 'Do you know what, I think this has gone too far and there is a real, real danger that she could be seriously injured and may die of it'.'
'I don't know why, because to a prudent and reasonable person looking at those videos, they would say, 'why didn't you, why didn't you get her help?'
'I have no doubt that he is very saddened by her death but you appreciate where you give an interview where you're lying, you're not giving the full truth.
'He is very saddened by the loss, by the loss of Louella, but as far as showing remorse - I wouldn't be able to comment.'
Mr Devoto paid tribute to Miss Fletcher-Michie's family, who he said had been transparent and honourable throughout the investigation.
'The family themselves are a very loving, grounded family whose lives have been completely and utterly disrupted and torn apart by this terrible news that they've lost their daughter,' he said.
'They recognised early on that she was in trouble so they made their way down immediately from north London to Dorset, and when they arrived here they were told the news that in fact their daughter had died.'
He described Miss Fletcher-Michie as a 'free spirit' who was interested in art and loved festivals.
'She was very buoyant, very friendly, very happy and she'd had a fantastic childhood,' Mr Devoto said.
'She was like many festival-goers, she was here to enjoy herself and have a great time.
'Unfortunately she was in a situation where she found herself reliant on someone that she cared for and he failed to act and failed to raise the alarm and failed to get her medical help when she really needed it.'
The detective described 2-CP as 'quite unique' and said no further drugs of that type were found at Bestival.
He said there is some information online that people have suffered from 2-CP but Miss Fletcher-Michie is believed to be one of the first to die from it.
Broughton's lack of assistance meant officers had to 'glean information' from his mobile phone, CCTV images and reports from pathologists and toxicologists.
Mr Devoto described the investigation as 'very complex'.
'We are dealing with a family who have lost a very cherished member of their family,' he said.
'It was a very emotional investigation but I'm glad that the result is as it is.
'It is a reflection of the hard work that has gone into bringing Ceon Broughton to justice.'
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/01/holby-city-john-michie-star-arrives-at-court-to-see-his-daughters-boyfriend-sentenced/
Main photo article The rapper convicted of his girlfriend’s manslaughter after giving her a party drug then filming her fatal reaction was today jailed for eight-and-a-half years.
Ceon Broughton, 30, was found guilty of being responsible for the death of Louella Fletcher-Michie, 24, after he ‘bumped u...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/01/09/10418154-6759857-Her_boyfriend_Ceon_Broughton_was_today_convicted_of_manslaughter-m-24_1551431687906.jpg
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