'Anxious wait' for Wick family over harbour death
THE family of Kevin Mcleod, whose body was found in Wick harbour 22 years ago, are having "an extremely stressful and anxious wait" for the findings of two separate investigations into his death.
A report by Police Scotland was submitted to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) by Detective Chief Inspector Mark Bell on November 5 last year but the force is still awaiting further instruction relating to the investigation.
Kevin's parents, June and Hugh Mcleod, have been waiting for a year for information about an investigation carried out by the Criminal Allegations Against the Police Division (CAAPD). It was ordered by the Lord Advocate, Scotland's chief law officer, but the family have no idea when it will be completed.
In a letter to the deputy crown agent, Lindsey Miller, the Mcleods said the updates provided "do not include anything of significance".
They appreciate progress is being made in what is a complex case but want to know why there is such a delay in getting a decision about the investigations.
"We trust you will appreciate and understand that after 22 years campaigning for truth and justice this is a extremely stressful and anxious wait for the conclusion of both Police Scotland’s recent investigation and the conclusion of the CAAPD comprehensive review instructed by the Lord Advocate. Your prompt response to our correspondence would be welcomed and respected," the Mcleods said.
They wrote to Ms Miller after she told them progress "continues to be made by the team in CAAPD".
She stated: "DCI Bell’s report and associated materials are being examined, investigation of the pathology remains ongoing, and further inquiries will be instructed in due course. Please be assured that progress is being made in this complex matter and that all aspects of investigations will be considered. I will provide you with a further update in six weeks’ time."
Meanwhile, Kevin's uncle, Allan Mcleod, hit out at Police Scotland for not interviewing a potential witness, which he says "is very disturbing and suspicious". He said: "Clearly, the police expression ‘we will leave no stone unturned’ does not apply in Kevin’s case when this potentially is a person of interest and could be a pivotal witness to the case.
"The family have no trust or faith in Police Scotland and that is why we requested that the COPFS invite a independent police force to investigate, or at the very least oversee Police Scotland’s enquiries regarding allegations of police involvement with Kevin’s death and to investigate why police ignored and failed to act on the procurator fiscal’s instruction to investigate Kevin’s death as murder. This instruction was given to police after the pathologist had informed the fiscal that his massive internal injuries were ‘possibly consistent' with a kicking received several hours before death."
The family have always maintained that Kevin, who was 24, was murdered because of the injuries on his body but the police insisted his death was the result of a tragic accident.