Teen death inquiry latest

0 - 0 • Published 5 Jun 2008 10:00

EMOTIONAL evidence has been heard in the first week of an inquiry into the death of a young man in police custody.

The Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the death of Chad Hyslop, 19, while in a police holding cell in Dumbarton police office, began on Monday with some key medical, police and prisoner witnesses being questioned.

More witnesses will give evidence today in front of Sheriff Simon Pender at the hearing in Dumbarton Municipal Buildings, including one of Chad"s cell mates, Robert Hastings, who was with him in cell three on the fatal morning on February 25.

Earlier in the week Chad"s half-sister, Sarah-Jane O"Neil, also took to the stand to be questioned about his tragic death of a suspected drugs overdose.

She told the hearing that she would have 'slapped him' if she knew he had a heroin problem.

After being questioned further by fiscal depute Sheila McDermid, she blasted: 'You are just trying to make my brother look bad to cover your own backsides.'

A police witness told the hearing that it was 'highly unlikely' that the 19-year-old had been carrying drugs when he was taken into custody.

On Wednesday, one of Chad"s cellmates at the time of his death, Robert Currie, 19, currently a prisoner at Gateside Prison, said that he could not remember what happened that weekend in February last year when he, Chad, and Robert Hastings were arrested on alleged breach of the peace.

Currie, who was also charged with possessing an offensive weapon - a samurai sword - said that he could not recall anything because he was 'under the influence' of Valium and alcohol, after consuming drink and drugs in a five or six day run up to his arrest on February 23.

The inquiry heard that Chad died of a heroin overdose at some point between February 24-25, with the official time of death being given by police casualty surgeon Dr Edwin Robertson as 9.22am on February 25.

More witnesses will be questioned today and the hearing is then expected to adjourn until Tuesday.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 05 Jun 08

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