Former Environment Agency Boss in Chemsex Drug Case
A divorced father-of-two from the Midlands has walked free from court after admitting to buying and selling dangerous drugs for chemsex encounters with men he met on the gay dating app Grindr.
Mark Sitton Kent, 57, of Fortune Avenue, Kneesall, near Newark, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court for his role in the supply of methamphetamine and GHB between 2019 and 2023.
Wholesale Drug Purchases for Sexual Encounters
The court heard how the former director of operations at the Environment Agency purchased drugs in wholesale quantities specifically for use during sexual activity.
Prosecutor Devni Kitulagoda revealed that police arrested Sitton Kent at an address in Newark, Nottinghamshire, on October 12, 2023, where they found a capsule of methamphetamine.
Messages extracted from his mobile phone indicated he was involved in chemsex from at least 2018 until his arrest. The evidence showed he intended to purchase 50g of methamphetamine and approximately 1 litre of GHB – enough for 400 to 1,000 doses – with plans to sell part of these quantities to recoup costs.
"He offered to administer controlled drugs to others and asked others to inject him," Ms Kitulagoda told the court.
Late-Life Coming Out and Descent into Chemsex Culture
Defence lawyer Digby Johnson explained that Sitton Kent had come out as gay in his 50s and retired from his "well-paid and well-respected" role at the Environment Agency at age 55 following rumours circulating about him.
Mr Johnson described his client as having had limited sexual experiences before turning to Grindr, where he encountered individuals involved in chemsex culture.
"He says he wanted to explore and experiment with his homosexuality, and the people he was put in contact with were people who involved themselves in chemsex, and that he was drawn into the circle," the defence lawyer stated. He characterized some of the text message exchanges as "bravado" rather than genuine intent to sell drugs.
Despite this, Sitton Kent admitted sharing drugs with people he met through the dating app.
Judge's Stern Warning and Sentence
Sentencing Sitton Kent, Judge James Sampson delivered a stark warning about the dangers of the substances involved.
"Be under no illusions, these drugs kill," Judge Sampson stated. "They have been implicated in the deaths of gay men up and down the country. They are dangerous, and by peddling these dangerous substances for your own gratification, you have risked the lives of others."
The judge handed down a two-year prison sentence, suspended for 21 months. Sitton Kent, who had no previous convictions, was also made subject to a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
The case highlights the ongoing concerns about chemsex – a term combining 'chemical' and 'sex' that refers to using psychoactive and disinhibiting drugs during sexual activity – within communities across the country.
