JAMES MAJOR FROM CLEETHORPES SENTENCED FOR ENDANGERING HIS 12-YEAR-OLD SON WITH LETHAL METHADONE

In March 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving James Major, a 40-year-old resident of Cleethorpes, who was found guilty of child cruelty after a series of reckless and dangerous actions directed at his own 12-year-old son. The incident highlighted a grave lapse in parental responsibility and a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of a vulnerable minor.

According to court proceedings, Major deliberately forced his young son to ingest a potentially fatal dose of methadone, a heroin substitute, by crushing the tablets into his blackcurrant juice. The court was told that Major, in an attempt to deceive drug testing assessments, also coerced his son into providing a urine sample. The young boy was reluctant to comply but was pressured through threats and manipulation. Major threatened to break his son's legs if he disclosed what had transpired and demeaned him by saying he would be 'nothing to him' if he revealed the truth.

Prosecutor Nigel Clive detailed that Major had crushed one or two tablets into the child's drink, which contained methadone and a sedative drug. The boy, feeling forced and scared, eventually drank the mixture and later was made to urinate into a bottle for testing. The coercion was compounded by Major's insistence and his use of monetary offers to persuade his son. After the incident, Major left the house, and the boy subsequently fell down a staircase, ending up sprawled at the bottom. Witnesses described him as very unsteady on his feet, and his next memory was waking up in hospital, feeling 'groggy' and lethargic.

Hospital staff confirmed that the boy's condition was serious, with the effects of the drugs posing a life-threatening risk, including potential heart attacks, respiratory failure, and depression. Despite the severity of the situation, Major later attempted to cover his tracks by claiming his son was 'milking it' and would recover within 24 hours. He also visited a drug agency for an assessment, ostensibly to provide a urine sample, but his true motive was to ensure he tested negative for opiates and crack cocaine, as he sought to qualify for a treatment course. This behavior was interpreted by authorities as an effort to conceal ongoing illegal substance use.

Major's actions drew further scrutiny when he lied to his mother and the police, dismissing his son's condition as exaggerated. The court emphasized that the drugs involved are extremely serious, capable of causing death through heart attack, respiratory arrest, or depression. Fortunately, the young boy eventually made a full physical recovery, but the incident left a lasting impact.

The court also revealed that Major had a long history of criminal behavior, with 25 previous convictions, including violent offenses. Judge John Thackray QC condemned Major's conduct, stating, "Your offending beggars belief. Being a father is one of the greatest gifts in life, an unbelievable privilege, and you abused that gift in a deplorable way that put your son’s life and well-being in jeopardy." The judge criticized Major for exploiting his son's love and trust, emphasizing that he should have protected him instead of inflicting harm for his own benefit.

Judge Thackray further remarked on Major's apparent lack of remorse and his attempts to conceal his drug use by forcing his son to take substances without informing him of their nature. The judge warned that Major's actions could have resulted in a homicide charge, underscoring the gravity of his misconduct and the potential consequences of his reckless behavior.