Fatal accident inquiry into death of prisoner to be held next year

A fatal accident inquiry is to be held into the death of a prisoner in hospital.

Andrew Whiteford, 38, who was in legal custody, died on May 31, 2022 at Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said on Thursday it has launched a first notice to begin the court process for an FAI into the death of Whiteford, who was in the care of the state when he died.

The purpose of an FAI is not to attribute blame, but rather aims to determine the cause of death, its circumstances, and to establish if reasonable precautions could be taken to prevent similar deaths from occurring in the future.

A preliminary hearing is due to take place on January 29 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: “The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Andrew Whiteford occurred while in legal custody and as such a fatal accident inquiry is mandatory.

“The lodging of the first notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the sheriff.”