Published: Tuesday, 17th June, 2008 09:30
Chad's cell-mate had 'threatened' him with sword
By Mike Farrell
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Chad Hyslop
THE “volatile” relationship between Chad Hyslop and one of the men he was locked in a cell with was revealed at the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI).
The hearing into the drug overdose of 19-year-old Chad Hyslop was told how Chad had been involved in a heated row with one of the men in his cell — an incident that had led to both their arrests.
Inspector Ian Wallace, 44, who was in charge at the time, told Sheriff Simon Pender of how he moved Chad and Robert Currie, 19, into the same cell — despite their earlier falling out — because he believed they were friends.
Currie, who was lifted at the same time as Chad, was charged with possessing an offensive weapon — a samurai sword.
At the hearing Mr Murphy, the lawyer representing Chad’s grieving mum, Margaret Hyslop, read part of a statement Chad gave following his arrest for a breach of the peace.
Chad told police that he and Currie had been fighting, and he had “threatened to put [Currie] through the window” because “[Currie] was going for [him] with the sword”.
A struggle between the two followed with a window at the benefits office in Meadowbank Street, Dumbarton, being broken, which Chad apologised for.
This set of events was put to Inspector Wallace who said it was “a bit concerning” but he would have “still been comfortable” putting Chad and Currie in a cell together, because of what he knew of their friendship.
Earlier, Mr Murphy had asked the Inspector if it would appear that Chad and Currie had a “volatile relationship”.
The policeman responded: “I know more of their friendship than you have put forward to the court”, but added that he could “understand” why people might get that impression.
According to the inspector, Chad requested to be moved in a cell with “Bobby and Bobby” — Currie and Robert Hastings, 34 — during a visit at around 9.30pm on the Saturday.
The three were placed into a cell together later on that evening.
Inspector Wallace also told of how he checked on the three prisoners hours before Chad was pronounced dead at 9.22am on Sunday February 25.
At 6.45am that morning the police officer said he received a “distinct positive response” from Chad, after getting Currie to wake him up.
For the full report, see this week's Reporter
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