Ex-Environment Director Jailed for Chemsex Drug Dealing

Mark Sitton-Kent, a former director at the Environment Agency, has been handed a suspended prison sentence for his involvement in dealing methamphetamine and GHB. The 57-year-old admitted to the charges after police found drugs at a Nottinghamshire property. Sitton-Kent had connected with people engaged in chemsex, a practice involving drug use during sexual encounters, through the dating app Grindr.

The court heard that Sitton-Kent's involvement began in 2019 after he came out as gay and sought to explore his sexuality. Text messages revealed discussions about buying and selling methamphetamine. He retired from his director of operations role in 2023 following rumors about his behavior reaching his employer.

During the sentencing, Judge James Sampson emphasized the severe dangers of the drugs Sitton-Kent dealt, stating they have been implicated in numerous deaths. Sitton-Kent was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for 21 months, for his role in supplying class A drugs.