British mother on trial over son's Dubai cocaine death

A British mother went on trial at Preston Crown Court on 11 November 2026 accused of manslaughter over the death of her 20-year-old son, Jensen Westhead, who was found dead at the Avalon Hotel in Dubai on 5 December 2024 after a package of cocaine he had swallowed burst in his stomach. Rebecca Hatch, 45, and her husband Glenn Hatch, 51, of Hatfield Close, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, deny manslaughter and drugs offences. Three other defendants also deny manslaughter in a case that has focused attention on the international cocaine route between the UK and Dubai.

Opening the trial, prosecutor Jacob Hallam KC told the jury that Mr and Mrs Hatch assisted the conspiracy by helping Jensen renew his passport and taking him to Manchester Airport, knowing the purpose of his trip to Dubai. The court heard that Jensen swallowed bags of cocaine before catching a flight from Manchester to the United Arab Emirates, and prosecutors believe at least one package burst inside his stomach, causing a fatal overdose. Daily Dazzling Dawn learned that the jury was shown mobile phone messages between Mr Westhead and his mother as he travelled to the UAE. On the flight, Mr Westhead discussed in-flight entertainment and food before telling his mother: “Need a st real bad.” Mrs Hatch allegedly replied: “FFS don't go for a st now son. Do it as soon as you land. Don't say nothing at all till you land there to no one x.”

The prosecution argues that this exchange demonstrates Mrs Hatch’s knowledge that her son was carrying drugs he would need to pass after landing. The jury was told that on 4 December, the day before his death, Mr Westhead sent his mother a photograph of laxatives bearing a Gulf label. Mrs Hatch responded by discussing expensive perfume and duty free, according to the prosecution. On 5 December, officers from Lancashire Police visited the family home in Thornton-Cleveleys to break the news that Mr Westhead had died. The court heard that Mrs Hatch reportedly said: “I told you this would happen, they fking left him.” When asked what she meant, she did not explain further.

The couple told officers they knew Mr Westhead had travelled abroad alone and that they had spoken to him on FaceTime while he was on the plane and at the hotel. They said he travelled alone on holiday but was meeting friends there. Mr Hallam said the prosecution’s case is that they “weren't being candid about their knowledge of, or involvement in Jensen's travels, nor their knowledge of or involvement in the purpose behind them.” He told the court that Mr Westhead travelled to Dubai in order to smuggle drugs out of the UK and import them into Dubai, and that he did so with the knowing assistance of Rebecca Hatch, Glenn Hatch and the other defendants in the dock.

Also on trial is Alexander Tofton, 33, of Tewkesbury Drive, Lytham St Annes, whom the prosecution describes as the UK arm of the international smuggling operation and the man alleged to have recruited Mr Westhead. Joseph Watson, 32, of Wednesbury, is alleged to be the Dubai arm of the conspiracy and is said to have met the courier when he arrived in the Emirates. Steven Stephenson, 48, of St Lawrence, Denton, Greater Manchester, is accused of meeting Mr Westhead at a hotel close to Manchester Airport shortly before the youngster caught his flight. Stephenson’s fingerprints were recovered from one of the packages removed from Mr Westhead’s stomach during the post-mortem investigation into his death.

The court heard that around the time of the trip to Dubai, Mrs Hatch’s phone was in contact with Tofton. At one stage, Mr Hatch is alleged to have searched online for the meaning of “drugs mule.” On 10 December, five days after Mr Westhead died, Stephenson’s phone was factory reset while Tofton changed his phone, the prosecution says. Following his arrest, writing was recovered from Tofton’s home address which said “feel sorry, feel responsible for death.” The prosecution says this relates to Mr Westhead. After Watson was arrested, messages were recovered from his phone, jurors were told. One read: “I don't know if I can come back to the UK because of that thing with that kid. Like there's a chance I would get nicked.”

Rebecca Hatch, Glenn Hatch, Alexander Tofton and Steven Stephenson are charged with conspiracy to fraudulently evade the prohibition on exportation of a class A drug. Stephenson faces an additional charge of being concerned in the supply of cocaine. Tofton has also pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose his phone PIN to police. All five defendants deny manslaughter. Daily Dazzling Dawn understands the trial at Preston Crown Court continues before the jury, with the prosecution expected to present further evidence in the coming weeks. The case has drawn significant attention locally because of the family’s connections to the Fylde coast, and legal observers are watching closely for how the court assesses the knowledge and intent of those accused of facilitating the journey.