Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter | News | Case concludes but is far from finished

Monday, 13th October, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 1st July, 2008 10:45

Case concludes but is far from finished

By Staff Reporter

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Chad Hyslop

Lawyers representing members of Chad Hyslop’s family have questioned the legitimacy of some police officers’ versions of events surrounding the teenager’s death.

Much of what happened to the 19-year-old in the last hours of his life, in a Dumbarton police holding cell, is still far from clear.

But in the minds of Chad’s family, it is apparent they believe those whose job it was to look after him should shoulder some of the blame.

In the turbulent final week of the FAI, Sheriff Simon Pender heard the final statements from each of the parties involved.

Possible methods of preventing more deaths in police custody were also highlighted at the FAI in Dumbarton’s Municipal Buildings.

Criticism was aimed at Constable James Bolling, who claimed to have spoken to Chad just over half an hour before he was found dead at 8.30am on Sunday February 25 2008.

Bill Cairns, agent for Chad’s father Hugh O’Neil, said in his submission that forensic evidence suggested Constable Bolling’s account of speaking to Chad was “unlikely”.

It could be possible that the police officer never checked on Chad in cell three of the police station at 7.50am that morning, according to Mr Cairns.

The reliability of other witnesses — including Chad’s cell-mates, Robert Currie, 19, and Robert Hastings, 34 — was also examined by lawyers representing the Brucehill teenager’s grieving family.

In closing, Barry Murphy, lawyer for Peggy Hyslop, Chad’s mum, said that “unfortunately” both Currie and Hastings had proved “most unsatisfactory” witnesses earlier in the case.

Mr Murphy also told the court that the “ownership or possession” of the fatal heroin should be attributed to Hastings, as he was a drug user and had been found with diazepam and cannabis during a police search when arrested that weekend.

Possible methods of preventing a tragedy like Chad’s from occurring again were also put to Sheriff Pender, including the training of custody officers in giving Noloxone, an antidote to heroin overdoses.

A review of the police standard operating procedure, particularly in relation to visiting prisoners, was also suggested by the legal representatives of the families.

But, Sheriff Pender said he was reluctant to put forward recommendations on such changes, because he felt he needed to be “more specific” about what parts would need revised.

With all witnesses heard and submissions made, a decision from Sheriff Pender on the FAI will be released at some point over the next few months.

For the full story see this week's Reporter

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