CRIMINALS who provided the drugs which killed a 15-year-old schoolgirl have been spared jail.

Both were given suspended sentences despite causing the death of Billericay school pupil Sherie-Lea James.

Jason Raymond, 21, of Belhus Close, South Ockendon and Reamell Sharon, 31, of Manor Park, East London, were sentenced on Friday at Basildon Crown Court having previously admitted possessing MDMA with intent to supply.

Sherie-Lea was 15 when she died in the early hours of September 1, 2016. She had taken both ecstasy and cocaine at a flat in South Ockendon during a house party.

She was rushed to Basildon Hospital by paramedics at around 5.30am but could not be saved.

The court heard how Raymond had brought a bag of 15 pills to the party, some orange and some red, named "dominoes" and "death con", and was charging £10 per pill at the party.

Guy Ladenburg, mitigating, stated Raymond did not know how many pills he sold, or whether he recouped his money from the purchase, but added there was no "commercial gain" on the night.

Mark Fraser, mitigating for Sharon, told the court Sharon arrived at the party late, when the others had already consumed drugs and were "clearly affected", adding Sharon's involvement was buying pills from Raymond to give to Sherie-Lea.

It is not known how many were taken ut it could have been as many as five.

In January Raymond admitted one count of possession with intent to supply MDMA and two counts of supplying the controlled drug to individuals, one of whom was Sherie-Lea and the other cannot be named for legal reasons.

On July 27, Sharon admitted one count of possession with intent to supply MDMA and one count of supplying the controlled drug to individuals.

Raymond was jailed for 20 months, suspended for 18 months, while Sharon received a 12 month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

The court heard Raymond had previously battled mental health issues.

Addressing Raymond, Judge Lodge said: "You were the provider of the drugs to the party, I accept on the totality of evidence that was not done for commercial gain.

"That was done because the party, wrongly, stupidly, thought the party would be more enjoyable if drugs were taken."

Speaking directly to Sharon, Judge Lodge, said: "Your role is one step down.

"You supplied the drugs on the basis of going to the co-accused and purchasing for them drugs that they took."

Raymond was also ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work, and take part in a 40 day rehabilitation scheme.

Sharon was ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work, and take part in a 25 day rehabilitation scheme.