A 'loving' mum-of-six who studied to become a lawyer died after becoming addicted to toxic chemical cannabis Spice. Former law student Nicola Little was described as a dedicated mum, but her life was later blighted by the addiction which she could not overcome.
An inquest in Hull heard Nicola, 46, who had worked for Hull City Council, died at the city's Crossings homeless hostel after taking a combination of drugs including Spice and high levels of methadone. In a statement Nicola’s mum paid a touching tribute to her daughter, explaining how she had so much to live for, reports HullLive.
Her mum said: “Nicola has one brother who she remained very close to. She as always sporty when she was younger and loved football, going to games with her dad and brother. Our relationship was strong but it could be difficult as she struggled with drugs.”
Nicola tried to balance her work life with having six children while also coping with the diagnosis of a rare blood condition. Her mum said: “Nicola raised her children really well. She was interested in law and worked as a paralegal for five or six years before the practice closed.
"She then studied law at the University of Hull but she was also working and raising children at the time so she could not complete her course. She worked in the legal department at Hull City Council for around 12 years.
"But she was off sick quite a lot and then she began taking more drugs and she eventually had to quit. I gave her money but, when I realised it was going on drugs and not the essentials, I stopped. It was only in the last four years or so that she had a big problem with drugs and she could just not come off them.”
She also recalled seeing Nicola the day before she died. Her mum added: “She looked genuinely really well, the best I had seen her in a while. She really seemed to be trying to get back on track and was really happy.
“Nicola was too trusting but she loved her children and they loved her. She would do anything for anyone. She was clever, hard working and very pretty. Nicola was such a loving person.”
Toxicology results found Nicola had taken a significant amount of Spice and methadone, along with smaller amounts of cocaine and illicit painkillers. The post-mortem concluded her death was due to drug poisoning.
A support worker at The Crossings homeless hostel in Hull said that in April 2 last year she knocked on the door to Nicola’s room to check she was okay. But there was no response, so she went inside and found Nicola lying between the bed and the chest of drawers.
Area coroner Lorraine Harris concluded Nicola’s death was ‘drug-related’ and issued a warning about the dangers of Spice. She said: “I find Nicola was an intelligent woman who worked hard to support her family. But she had a history of substance abuse.
“I see no evidence of any intention to commit suicide but those trying to get clean can find the drugs they take become more toxic. I also take into account the issues over Spice which is a synthetic cannabinoid which can be very dangerous.
“I offer my very sincere condolences to Nicola’s family. It’s evident to me how much she was loved surrounded by a large family all who she had a good relationship with.
“She loved, not just her only children, but also her nephews and nieces. This is a tragic end to the young life of a warm, intelligent and hard working woman who struggled with substance abuse.”
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