Hatfield man, 83, offered morphine to woman who later died

An 83-year-old man had admitted offering morphine to a woman who later died.

Lily Gomes, 27, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, died in hospital on 18 February 2025 from morphine toxicity. She had fallen unconscious at the home of Arthur Sutton, of Cotswolds, Hatfield, four days after he had offered her the drug.

On Tuesday, at St Albans Crown Court, Sutton pleaded guilty to three counts of offering to supply morphine to three different women, including Gomes.

He will be sentenced at the same court on 9 October.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said he had initially been arrested on 16 February 2025 on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

Det Con Andreea Stanoiu-Diaconu said: “This case serves as a stark reminder of the significant dangers associated with the misuse of prescription medication and controlled drugs.

“Morphine is a powerful drug that should only ever be taken when prescribed and under appropriate medical supervision.”

In a tribute her family described her as “vivacious, loud, funny and completely herself”.

They wrote: “Lily was so much more than the circumstances in which we lost her.

“We will do everything we can to keep Lily’s memory alive for her children. We will talk about her, laugh about her, tell them our stories, and make sure they grow up knowing just how deeply their mum was loved and what a special person she was.”

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