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allan mcleod · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 88

New Probe On Teen's 1991 Death
Jan 19 2008

A NEW investigation was last night ordered into the death of a teenager more than 16 years ago.

The family of 19-year-old Neil Riddel, whose body was found near his Moray home in 1991, have never believed a fatal accident inquiry verdict that he had committed suicide with anti-depressants.

His mother Margaret, of Aultmore, near Keith, claims he died in police custody before his body was moved to a field.

In papers handed over to solicitor general Frank Mulholland and procurator fiscal Morag McLaughlin in November, she said there was proof of police withholding information.

Yesterday, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service announced a new inquiry.

A spokesman said the fiscal would re-examine the evidence and interview witnesses.

Neil's brother Ian said: "This could really be the start of things moving on."

Big Wullie · Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 550 Location: Glasgow

More BBC News coverage of this shocking case:

Prosecutors to re-examine death

The Crown Office said witnesses would be re-interviewed
A man's death is to be re-examined by the procurator fiscal, following concerns raised by his family.

Neil Riddel, 19, was found dead near his home in Moray in 1991. A fatal accident inquiry ruled that he had overdosed on anti-depressant tablets.

However, Mr Riddel's family rejected the suicide finding and have continued to appeal for information on his death.

Scotland's Solicitor General Frank Mulholland QC has instructed prosecutors to re-examine the evidence.

The Crown Office said witnesses would be re-interviewed, including family members, who had recently spoken with the solicitor general.

The solicitor general has commissioned this work to ensure that Neil Riddel's family have the assurance that all available evidence in the case has been fully and properly considered
Crown Office spokesman

A Crown Office spokesman said: "In the years since Neil Riddel's death, we have developed and improved how we investigate deaths and in particular how we ensure that families are kept advised and supported through what is a very difficult process for them.

"The solicitor general has commissioned this work to ensure that Neil Riddel's family have the assurance that all available evidence in the case has been fully and properly considered and that they have a clear understanding of how he died and achieve their expressed desire for closure in this difficult matter."

He added that Grampian's procurator fiscal Morag McLaughlin would prepare a report setting out all of the available evidence relating to Mr Riddel's death, "and any conclusions to be drawn from that".

Force assistance

The Crown Office spokesman added that the re-investigation would not examine how the case was handled by Grampian Police.

The force said it would help with the fresh inquiry.

A spokesman said: "Grampian Police recognises the distress that the family has experienced over a number of years in connection with Neil Riddel's death.

"We appreciate the reasons for and acknowledge the area procurator fiscal's re-examination of the evidence in the case, and will provide whatever help is required to facilitate that."

Mr Riddel was found a mile from his home at Aultmore, near Keith, at about 1000 BST on 20 July 1991.

A fatal accident inquiry was held at Elgin Sheriff Court a year later, when the sheriff ruled that death had been caused by a voluntary overdose of Prothiaden.

Big Wullie · Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 550 Location: Glasgow

Another shocking case from the Grampian Area.

In papers handed over to solicitor general Frank Mulholland and procurator fiscal Morag McLaughlin in November, she said there was proof of police withholding information.

To withhold information is Criminal.

Some Questions:

Will any police be charged over this?
Will Ms McLaughlin Backtrack and change course?
What does Mr Mulholland make of this evidence?
Will Mr Mulholland now re-examine the McLeod case too?

The Crown Office spokesman added that the re-investigation would not examine how the case was handled by Grampian Police.

The incestuous nature continues by their lack of investigations into their own.
Does this mean they get off scot free again?

Our whole sysytem is in dire need of a complete overhaul and in danger of total failure and collapse.

allan mcleod · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 88

I hope that the Riddle family get to the truth and get the Justice that they and their loved one truely deserve.

No doubt their will be certain police officers from Grampian serving and retired at this moment in time having sleepless nights.

Also, Lets hope that the Chief Constable of Northern Constabulary and the Crown Office will also re-examine the case of my nephew
Kevin Mcleod from Wick after their recent unreserved apologies regarding their serious failings at the initial Murder investigation, and mishandling of our subsequent complaints.

I also hope and pray that all the other cases featured on this forum will also get to the truth and Justice this year.

allan mcleod · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 88

The case of Kevin Gillies.

Another Massive Cover-up by Northern Constabulary.

When will it stop ??

http://www.copouts.org/

Big Wullie · Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 550 Location: Glasgow

Allan

What a shocking case with many disturbing questions answers needed.
Are the Northern Constabulary afraid of doing their paperwork?
They certainly need calling into question again over this shambolic investigation.
Every part reminds me of your own nephews case.
Failing to secure scene.
Not retaining clothes.
even allowing the car to be removed is appalling
My opinion is they took the drivers word for everything maybe even formed the opinion that it was his own fault, Mistake.
Every part of this investigation goes against the whole principal of police investigations and breaks every rule in their book.
For so many faults to be on this Taxi is appaling but the most damning and which would cause severe braking problems is the fact there was an extra 22lb extra pressure in the tyres.
Taxi's are supposed to go through extra stringent tests because they carry public passengers, What went wrong here?
For a traffic police to say he does not know the braking distance of a car travelling at twenty miles per hour is shocking, Hope he was sacked?
For the car to have been taking a short cut the wrong way in a one way system and the police not to have questioned this in downright arrogance.
They need to go down the same road as yourself recently with a heavy complaint to the new police complaints commissioner.

Best wishes to them all

Wullie Beck

AKA Big Wullie