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

The mother of a 20-year-old drugs mule who died in a hotel room in Dubai after a package of cocaine burst in his stomach has gone on trial accused of his manslaughter.Jensen Westhead, from Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, swallowed bags of the drug before catching a flight from Manchester to the United Arab Emirates.But he was found dead at the Avalon Hotel on December 5, 2024, the day after he arrived.His mother, Rebecca Hatch, 45, has gone on trial for manslaughter and drugs offences along with four other people, among them Mr Westhead's stepfather, Glenn Hatch, 51.The prosecution allege that Mr and Mrs Hatch assisted the conspiracy by helping her son renew his passport and taking him to Manchester Airport – knowing the purpose of his trip to Dubai. Opening the trial at Preston Crown Court, prosecutor Jacob Hallam KC showed the jury 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 sh*t real bad.' Mrs Hatch replied: 'FFS don't go for a sh*t now son. Jensen Westhead, 20, was found dead in a hotel room in Dubai on December 5, 2024 after a package of cocaine he had swallowed burst inside his stomach Jensen Westhead's mother, Rebecca Hatch, 45, and stepfather Glenn Hatch, 51, (pictured) both deny manslaughter and drugs offences over his death 'Do it as soon as you land. Don't say nothing at all till you land there to no-one x.'The prosecution allege this demonstrates Mrs Hatch's knowledge that her son was carrying drugs he would need to pass. On December 4, the day before his death, Mr Westhead messaged his mother a photograph of laxatives with a Gulf label. Mrs Hatch replied discussing expensive perfume and duty free, the prosecution said. On December 5, officers from Lancashire Police visited the family home in Thornton-Cleveleys to break the news that Mr Westhead had died. Officers spoke to Mr and Mrs Hatch and recorded their responses, the court heard. Mrs Hatch reportedly said: 'I told you this would happen, they f***ing left him.' However, when asked what she meant, she did not explain further. The couple said 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 a holiday but was meeting friends there. Mr Hallam said: 'The prosecution say 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 travelled to Dubai in order to smuggle drugs out of this jurisdiction and import them into Dubai. 'He did that, we say, with the knowing assistance of Rebecca Hatch, Glenn Hatch and the other defendants in the dock.' Also on trial are Alexander Tofton, 33, who the prosecution say was the UK arm of the international smuggling operation, and who is alleged to have recruited Mr Westhead.Joseph Watson, 32, is alleged to be the Dubai arm of the conspiracy and met with the courier when he arrived in the Emirates. Steven Stephenson, 48, met him at a hotel close to Manchester Airport shortly before the youngster caught his flight, the prosecution says. 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 prosecutor said 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 Googled 'drugs mule meaning'. On December 10, five days after Mr Westhead died, Stephenson's phone was factory reset while Tofton changed his phone, the prosecution say. Following his arrest, writing was recovered from Tofton's home address, which said 'feel sorry, feel responsible for death.'The prosecution say 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 and Glenn Hatch, Tofton, of Lytham St Annes, Watson, of Wednesbury, and Stephenson, of Denton, Greater Manchester, all deny manslaughter as well as being concerned in exporting a class A drug. Tofton has also pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose his phone PIN to police. The trial continues.