Death of man who jumped from Aberdeen flat to escape torture campaign to be probed by Sheriff
The death of a man who jumped from a block of high-rise flats in Aberdeen in order to escape his torturer is to be probed by a Sheriff.
Jamie Forbes, 37, was held against his will by Lee Smith, also 37, at the property on Elphinstone Court between January 14 and January 15 last year. The victim was repeatedly struck with a hammer, punched and kicked during the campaign of abuse.
The violence inflicted on Mr Forbes was so bad that he had no other option but to jump out of the window and ultimately to his death. During the torture, a resident of the 10th floor heard a male voice repeatedly shouting "please help me".
Mr Forbes' body was found on the ground on January 15, 2024. Cops attended Smith's address and discovered bloodstains throughout the house.
He admitted culpable homicide and was jailed for eight years at the High Court in Edinburgh in December last year.
Following the tragedy, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) confirmed a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) will take place into Mr Forbes ' death. A preliminary hearing is set for October, 7 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
The Lord Advocate has decided that it is in the public interest to hold a discretionary probe to examine the full circumstances.
The decision follows a thorough and independent investigation by the Procurator Fiscal and Smith's conviction.
Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said: "The death of James Forbes occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern and as such the Lord Advocate has decided that a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry should be held.
'The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.
'An FAI will allow a full public airing of the evidence of the procurator fiscal's wider investigations with interested parties. The evidence will be tested in a public setting and be the subject of an independent judicial determination.
'James' family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.'
Speaking to Smith at the time of sentencing, the judge Lady Hood told him: "I've seen a victim impact statement which has been provided to the court by Mr Forbes' sister.
"She has explained movingly how loved Mr Forbes was and how she found it difficult to find the words needed to convey how much their lives have been torn apart by the loss of their loved one.
"No sentence I can impose can possibly address the pain and suffering that she has felt."
In a statement at the time, the family of Mr Forbes said: "Jamie was a much-loved son, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin and forever loved brother and brother-in-law."
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