A man has passed away in police custody in a Scottish town, police have confirmed.
On Tuesday afternoon, the 49-year-old died at Kircaldy Police Station, and is understood to be the third person to die in police custody in Kirkcaldy in the last seven years.
Police said that the deceased’s next of kin has been informed and that the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner is undertaking a Crown directed investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The death occurred on the same day of a preliminary hearing into the death of Sheku Bayoh, who died in 2015 after being restrained by up to nine officers in Kirkcaldy.
Five years later, in September 2020, 36-year-old Marc Hamilton was found dead in his cell by officers at the same police station.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said : "Police Scotland can confirm that a 49-year-old male has died while in custody at Kirkcaldy Police Station. The deceased's next of kin have been informed.
“The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner is undertaking a Crown directed investigation into the circumstances and we will fully assist the PIRC with its enquiries.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article