Amy Bowden drug accused Henry Cox didn’t get there in time to supply her with fatal meth, court hears

A former St Peter’s College student charged with possessing drugs to supply to Amy Bowden before her death has said bullying was the catalyst for him turning to illicit substances.

A teenager who attended one of the state’s most prestigious schools was called to deliver methamphetamine to a man who’d planned to use it on his girlfriend, but by the time he got there, the woman had already been “shot up” with the drug.

In February 2024, when 26-year-old Amy Bowden was suffering from a heroin overdose, instead of calling an ambulance, her partner called 19-year-old Henry Lachlan Cox to bring meth over.

Police said Ethan Lenny George Ross had texted Cox to bring him methamphetamine so he could use it on Amy in an attempt to “wake her up” from her overdose.

Originally charged with supplying a controlled drug, police alleged Cox had followed through, delivering the drug, which was then fatally administered to Amy.

But in the South Australian District Court on Tuesday morning, Casey Isaacs, for Cox, told Judge Liesl Kudelka his client had arrived at Ross’ Redwood Park home that day to find he had already “shot up” Amy with drugs he’d found elsewhere.

Henry Cox pleaded guilty to possessing a drug to supply. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Ethan Ross leaving court.

Cox has since pleaded guilty to one count of possess a drug for supply to another person. Ross pleaded guilty to administering a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, to Amy.

“Ms Bowden was suffering from a relapse and overdosed, and (Ross) had asked (Cox) to bring methamphetamine in an attempt to try and revive her and bring her back into consciousness,” Mr Isaacs told the court on Tuesday.

“What ultimately transpired, notwithstanding that intention, was that the situation never eventuates.

“My client arrives, the drugs had been received from another source and had been administered. The plea was obviously on the basis of that intention, as is the charge, but certainly it did not eventuate that far.”

The court heard Cox had grown up in Clare, but when he moved to St Peter’s College to continue his schooling, he experienced bullying and ultimately dropped out altogether when he turned 16.

Amy Bowden grew up in Victoria with her family before moving to SA in 2023. Picture: Supplied by family

Amy Bowden as a young girl growing up in Victoria. Pictures: Supplied by family

“It was that change in his lifestyle that ultimately led to his downfall,” Mr Isaacs said.

“He was bullied, became isolated and decided to leave school. Unfortunately, he gravitated towards persons who were involved in drugs, and succumbed to the pressure and began using drugs himself. It was a steep decline and he soon became addicted to methamphetamine and LSD.

“This matter was the catalyst for change, for him to reintegrate with his family and accept their support.”

Having spent seven days in custody, and 15 months on strict home detention bail with no breaches, Judge Kudelka said she was inclined to sentence him to a good behaviour bond rather than order he spend more time in jail.

She will sentence him on Wednesday.

Ross is due back in court in July.

Originally published as Amy Bowden drug accused Henry Cox didn’t get there in time to supply her with fatal meth, court hears