Image copyright Zoe Barling/PA Wire

A man who gave his girlfriend drugs at a music festival filmed her and branded her a "drama queen" as she lay dying, a court has heard.

Louella Fletcher-Michie, 24, the daughter of Holby City actor John Michie, was found dead in woods on the Bestival site in Dorset in 2017.

Ceon Broughton, 29, failed to seek help when she became "disturbed, agitated and seriously ill" jurors heard.

He denies manslaughter and supplying drugs.

William Mousley QC, prosecuting at Winchester Crown Court heard, said the defendant had given his girlfriend the Class A drug 2CP while they attended the event in the grounds of Lulworth Castle in September 2017.

"He did not intend to cause her harm and Louella willingly took that which she was given, but it had a terrible effect," he said.

'Screeching'

Ms Fletcher-Michie died after a "significant period of suffering", he said, and Mr Broughton had continued filming over several hours.

"He even did so, the prosecution suggest, after she was apparently dead," Mr Mousley said.

Jurors were told Mr Broughton failed to get help because he feared the consequences after being given a suspended jail term a month earlier.

In video clips shown to the court, Ms Fletcher-Michie repeatedly shouts at Mr Broughton to telephone her mother but he tells her to "put your phone away".

Carol Fletcher-Michie eventually spoke to her daughter at 18:48 BST, growing concerned when she "could hear her screeching".

Her parents were so worried they set off for the festival, repeatedly messaging and calling Mr Broughton, the prosecutor told the jury.

Her brother, Sam, also contacted Mr Broughton and urged him to seek medical help. However, Mr Broughton replied saying "call back in an hour" and referred to Louella as a "drama queen", jurors heard.

The court was told Mr Broughton was handed a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for one year, a month before Ms Fletcher-Michie's death.

"His failure to get her treatment which may well have saved her life was borne of selfishness and in self-preservation," Mr Mousley said.

"Because to have done otherwise, to have acted positively, he knew would have exposed him to the possibility of arrest and prosecution for a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment."

"Failure to act was a substantial cause of her death," he added.

Mr Broughton, 29, of Island Centre Way, Enfield, London, denies manslaughter and supplying Class A drugs.

The trial continues.