Police station death inquiry faces further delay
The inquiry into Warren Fenty's death began 10 years ago
- Published
The publication of a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of an Aberdeen man in police custody nearly 10 years ago has been hit by a further delay.
Warren Fenty, 20, died from a drugs overdose at Kittybrewster Police Station in 2014.
Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle’s findings were due to be released this week, following a series of delays and missed deadlines, but the publication has been pushed back until at least next month.
The Scottish Courts Service said the sheriff was committed to publishing his determination as soon as possible.
Mr Fenty's mother, Sharon Fenty, has now been told it will not be ready until next month due to technical issues, expert reports being unavailable, and Sheriff Pyle being abroad for three weeks.
She said she had received an email informing her of the delay.
“It’s been a complete mess from the beginning,” she said.
“I’ve lived with this for 10 years of my life now. I’m angry but I’m also numb inside."
Warren Fenty died at Kittybrewster Police Station
The FAI into the circumstances around Mr Fenty’s death is currently the longest-running in Scotland.
He had been arrested after discharging himself from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, against medical advice, and was being held in Kittybrewster’s custody suite.
Derek Pyle, the sheriff principal of Grampian, took over the inquiry earlier this year, after the original sheriff could no longer continue due to “personal health reasons”.
A spokesperson for the Judicial Office for Scotland said: “The sheriff principal promised to keep parties up to date on how the FAI determination is progressing.
“He has written to all interested parties to make them aware of small delays to progress, however, Sheriff Principal Pyle remains committed to publishing the determination as soon as practically possible.”