# Mother of drugs mule, 20, who died in Dubai hotel room after package of cocaine burst in his stomach goes on trial for his manslaughter

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/mother-of-drugs-mule-20-who-died-in-dubai-hotel-room-after-package-of-cocaine-burst-in-his-stomach-goes-on-trial-for-his-manslaughter/
- Published: 2026-11-11T16:35:27+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T16:48:39+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16284607/Mother-drugs-mule-Dubai-hotel-room-cocaine-burst-manslaughter.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Culture, Health, Medicine, Travel, World

## Key points

- Jensen Westhead died in Dubai after a cocaine package burst.
- His mother and four others are on trial.
- Prosecutors allege the family knew the purpose of his trip.

## Summary

Jensen Westhead, 20, from Lancashire, died in a Dubai hotel on 5 December 2024 after a package of cocaine he had swallowed burst. His mother, Rebecca Hatch, has gone on trial at Preston Crown Court accused of manslaughter and drug offences, alongside four other people. Prosecutors say the case concerns an alleged international smuggling operation and whether the defendants knowingly helped Westhead carry drugs to Dubai.

The prosecution alleges Rebecca and her husband, Glenn Hatch, helped Westhead renew his passport and took him to Manchester Airport, knowing why he was travelling. Messages shown to jurors include Rebecca telling him not to use the toilet until he had landed, and a photo of laxatives he sent her the day before his death. The other defendants are alleged to have recruited Westhead, arranged the Dubai side of the operation or met him before the flight; all defendants deny the charges.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.