
Death of prisoner behind bars deemed 'unavoidable'
Andrew Whiteford was taken to Crosshouse Hospital where he died on May 31, 2022, whilst in custody.
The 38-year-old was diagnosed with hypopharyngeal cancer, which is found in the lower part of the throat, and also had type one diabetes.
The prisoner died of natural causes.
The Fatal Accident Inquiry ruled 'no precautions which could reasonably have been taken and had they
been taken, might realistically have resulted in death being avoided.'
Following every death behind bars, a Fatal Accident Inquiry is carried out and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is required to investigate.
Following the publication of the determination, Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS said: 'We note the Sheriff's determination.
'The Procurator Fiscal ensured that the full facts and circumstances of Mr Whiteford's death were presented in evidence at the mandatory Fatal Accident Inquiry. '
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


STV News
4 hours ago
- STV News
Sheku Bayoh Inquiry chairman refuses to stand down after accusations of bias
The chairman of the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry has refused calls to stand down after accusations of bias. Bayoh, 31, a father-of-two, died after he was restrained by around six police officers who were called to Hayfield Road in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on May 3, 2015. The Crown Office decided not to take legal action against the police involved following an investigation, but the circumstances are being examined at the inquiry. A procedural hearing in June was ordered by chairman Lord Bracadale to consider an application for his own recusal at Capital House in Edinburgh. It came after the judge revealed he has met with the family of Mr Bayoh on at least five occasions since the inquiry began. The family's lawyer, Aamer Anwar, suggested the procedural hearing alone could 'cost the public purse in excess of £1m'. The hearing follows an application for recusal of the chairman and an assessor on behalf of the Scottish Police Federation, PC Craig Walker and Nicole Short. Recusal is the legal process by which a judge or other adjudicator steps aside from participating in a case due to potential bias, conflict of interest, or lack of impartiality. On Wednesday, Lord Bracadale refused to recuse himself and refused to terminate the appointments of the assessors Raju Bhatt and Michael Fuller. A spokeswoman for the inquiry said: 'The inquiry held a procedure and conduct hearing on June 12. After careful consideration of written and oral submissions from core participants, Lord Bracadale has decided not to recuse himself or terminate the appointments of the assessors. 'Having regard to the relevant legal test, he has determined there is no apparent bias. 'Taking into account various considerations in respect of the handling of the inquiry, he has determined having meetings with the families was not unfair. Deputy first minister Kate Forbes said: 'I note the detailed and extensive consideration that has informed Lord Bracadale's decision and hope all parties involved can progress the important work of the inquiry as soon as possible. 'The Scottish Government remains committed to establishing the facts surrounding the circumstances leading to Mr Bayoh's death. 'However, as it is vital all public inquiries operate independently of government, it would be inappropriate of me to comment any further.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country


Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
One of Scotland's worst conmen with 100 convictions strikes again on prison leave
One of Scotland's worst conmen with 100 convictions strikes again on prison leave Robert Markward, who specialises in conning the elderly, tricked nine pensioners by posing as a student nurse, handyman and electrician, swiping cash, purses and bank cards. Robert Markward One of Scotland's worst conmen has been jailed again - as a judge stated he "specialised in preying on the elderly". Robert Markward - who already had more than 100 convictions - was on home leave from prison when he committed his latest crimes. The 64 year-old duped nine victims by posing as a student nurse, a handyman and an electrician to steal cash, purses and bank cards from the homes of pensioners in Ayrshire. A man alerted to how he had targeted one OAP physically tackled him, but Markward lashed out by pushing and punching him. The serial crook was back in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday, August 12. (Image: Crown Office) He had earlier been convicted after a trial in Kilmarnock of 10 charges of dishonesty, theft and fraud. The offences occurred between December 2022 and March 2023 at sheltered and retirement accommodation. It was Markward's fifth high court conviction all for similar crimes. These included a six year sentence in 2005 when he targeted pensioners by claiming to be a priest and a hospice worker. Markward was jailed for 10 years in 2016. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He had claimed at that case police and prosecutors were "pure rude" and "telling lies" - but he was caught for one of those thefts after dropping his bus ticket at the scene. Lady Ross sentenced him to a total of nine years for these latest "nasty" incidents. She told Markward: "You have made a career out of crimes of dishonesty. You have specialised in preying on elderly people. You are prepared to be violent when challenged." Lady Ross said she had read emotional impact statements including one from the daughter of an elderly victim. The judge: "For a while she felt stupid allowing someone she did not know into her flat, but he was convincing and trusted him. "She is a strong sensible lady, but this event has shaken her confidence in strangers." Lady Ross remarked this set of offences included being at the same sheltered housing complex Markward had originally targeted in earlier offences more than 20 years ago. She further paid tribute to the "bravery" of the man who confronted violent Markward. The most recent targets of Markward were aged between 64 and 99. In one, he pretended to be a handyman called Stevie to steal a purse containing £350. Markward also tricked another OAP by claiming to be a friend of her late neighbour. A number of the crimes were committed on the same day at sheltered accommodation in Ayr. Other offences occurred in nearby Prestwick. Like previous cases, Markward had again insisted he was not guilty His KC Gillian Ross today said: "In line with his evidence (at trial), he continues to deny his involvement. "There can be no denying that, in part, the (pre-sentencing) social work report does not reflect well on him given his denial. Article continues below "It states that he takes no responsibility and, thereafter, lacks any insight."


Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Clydebank murderer's prison death to be probed in FAI
Edward Simpson, 55, died from Covid-19 in Ninewells Hospital whilst serving a life sentence at HMP Castle Huntly, near Dundee, on March 18, 2022. Simpson was jailed in March 2002 after being convicted of murdering his teenage son Eddie Junior the previous November. He showed no remorse after plunging the knife into his son's chest outside their home in Bannerman Place, Clydebank. Simpson killed his 18-year-old son in front of his brother, aged 11, sister, aged 10, and the teen's girlfriend, aged 17. He denied the murder on November 23, 2001, but a four-day trial ended in a unanimous guilty verdict. READ MORE: Man sent indecent images to 3 undercover cops he thought were girls Now, a joint FAI has been announced for Simpson and John Ian Reid, 63, who also died in hospital after contracting the Covid-19 virus while in legal custody at HMP Glenochil in Clackmannanshire. The FAI will determine the cause of death, the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and establish what reasonable precautions could have been taken to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances. Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature and are used to establish facts rather than apportion blame. READ MORE: Two men due in court after 'robbery' at Glasgow store The deaths were investigated by the Covid-19 Deaths Investigation Team within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: 'The deaths of Edward Simpson and John Ian Reid occurred while in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory. 'The lodging of these First Notices enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of a Sheriff.' Preliminary hearings will be held on August 29, 2025, at Dundee Sheriff Court.