WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT John Rytting, who was jailed for 13 years in 2017 on child cruelty charges after feeding a deadly cocktail of drugs to four-year-old Poppy Widdison, has died in prison aged 49
A depraved drug dealer who administered a deadly cocktail of illegal substances to his ex-partner’s young daughter, causing her to suffer a cardiac arrest and die in his flat, has died in prison, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has confirmed.
John Rytting was handed a 13-year sentence on child cruelty charges at Hull Crown Court in 2017, in connection with the death of little Poppy Widdison. The body of the four year old was heartbreakingly discovered at his Grimsby ‘drug den’ home in June 2013.
Rytting, who infamously responded with “whatever” upon receiving his sentence, has now died behind bars at the age of 49.
Poppy suffered a cardiac arrest and tragically lost her life in the “squalid” property, which officers found strewn with both prescription and illegal drugs. Although her cause of death was deemed inconclusive, tests revealed the youngster had been given a dangerous mix of substances — including diazepam, heroin, methadone and ketamine — for up to six months prior to her death.
Rytting was in a relationship with Poppy’s mother, Michala Pyke, at the time of the little girl’s death. The couple had been together for approximately nine months, reports the Daily Record.
Branded an “unfit mother”, Pyke was also sentenced to 13 years in gaol after the court heard she had been giving her daughter a range of drugs, reports Grimsby Live.
Judge Jeremy Richardson QC told Pyke and Rytting they both “bear a huge responsibility for the death of a pretty and vivacious little girl”. When the sentence was handed down, Rytting replied: “Whatever.” Addressing his drug-dealing, Judge Richardson told him: “You were not running a corner shop but a large convenience store for drug addicts. You had a leading role.”
The court heard that the pair viewed Poppy as an “inconvenience” to their relationship. They were alleged to have given her sedatives, which they referred to as “blue Smarties”.
Turning to Poppy’s mother, the judge said: “Poppy was born addicted to heroin. Her name is the plant from which heroin is derived. I don’t think this is any accident and reveals your (Pyke) deplorable attitude towards an innocent infant.”
Rytting passed away on April 22 this year. As is standard procedure for all deaths in custody, the Ombudsman will now launch a full investigation.
