A new year celebration turned to tragedy when a young woman died after taking a class C drug, magistrates in Bingley heard.

Nadeem Islam and his partner were arrested following the death of 29-year-old Miriam Ismail in a house in Burton Street, Beechcliffe, Keighley.

Later a post mortem examination revealed that traces of hydroxy-n-butyric acid was found in her blood, Nadine Clough told the bench in Bingley yesterday.

Islam, of Lark Street, Keighley, pleaded guilty to the possession of the drug on January 5 this year.

He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

The bench was told that, since the tragedy, Islam had returned to his religion and was regularly attending a mosque.

Miss Clough, prosecuting, said Islam’s sister-in-law Miriam Ismail was found dead on the morning of January 6. A post mortem examination revealed traces of hydroxy-n-butyric acid were found in her body, and Islam and his partner, the dead woman’s sister, were arrested.

It was revealed that the 32-year-old had taken the drug to the house and it was found in a bottle which also contained his DNA. He later admitted drinking some of the drug on the evening of January 5 and also accepted he was in possession of it, said Miss Clough.

A police investigation was launched and both Islam and his partner were arrested while further enquiries were made.

Amjad Khan, for Islam, said: “Police did not proceed with any action relating to the death and he has been cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to the death of his sister-in-law.

“But the tragedy had been a wake-up call and he had now left his bad habits behind and was attending the mosque regularly.”

He was growing a beard to show signs that he was committed to his religion.

Mr Khan said the tragedy had arisen out of a new year celebration in which they had also been drinking alcohol.