George Harle admitted supplying the drug that claimed the life of 21-year-old Nathan Pavlovic but will remain on the nursing register under a three-year caution.
Nathan Pavlovic, 21, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, was one of three students who died in Newcastle university accommodation over two days. The deaths came shortly after the start of the 2020 academic year.
Nathan died after taking the Class A drug MDMA. A court later heard the drug had been supplied by George Harle, who was a student nurse at the time.
Harle admitted supplying the drug. In July 2025, he received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
By then, Harle had qualified as a registered nurse. The Shield Street, Newcastle, resident joined the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register in 2022.
After being charged in 2024, Harle referred himself to the NMC. His case was heard by the regulator’s Fitness to Practise Committee last month.
The panel heard that Harle now works in a children’s heart unit and expressed deep remorse over Nathan’s death.
According to the hearing report, Harle accepted full responsibility for his actions. He said he would “always regret” the events that led to Nathan’s death.
Harle told the committee he had carried out research into drug awareness in Nathan’s memory. He said the work was aimed at preventing similar tragedies. He also described his role in the children’s heart unit as “a real privilege and an honour.”
He said he referred himself to the NMC because he believed it was the right thing to do as a nurse. He added that he wanted to help keep patients safe.
Representing Harle, Alejandra Llorente Tascon, of the Royal College of Nursing, said the incident was a “joint enterprise.” She told the panel that a group of friends had agreed to buy drugs to share at a social gathering. Harle bought the drugs for the group, she said, but was not responsible for how much each person chose to take.
After reviewing the evidence, the panel ruled that Harle could remain on the nursing register. However, it imposed a three-year caution order. Anyone checking his registration during that time will be informed of the caution.
In its decision, the committee said Harle had rebuilt his life over the past six years. It noted that he had continued volunteering and carried out research into drug use among young people. The panel also found that he had shown genuine insight into the impact of his actions on Nathan’s family and friends.
The committee concluded there was a low risk of Harle committing a similar offence again.
Nathan had just started the third year of his forensic computing degree when he died. His parents, Alex and Beth Pavlovic, said it was the first time he had ever taken an illegal drug.
Since losing their son, the couple have spoken publicly to warn young people about the dangers of drugs. They also revealed that every Christmas morning begins with a visit to Nathan’s grave.
Beth said: “Can you 100% say you know what’s in that substance you have been offered? It could be filled with rubbish or it could be a lethal dose. You are playing Russian roulette with your own life.”
Alex added: “Nathan was an intelligent lad. This was the first time he had taken anything like this. We don’t know how or why he was persuaded to let his guard down.”