‘Positive approach’ urged in harbour death case
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THE father of a young Wick man who died in unexplained circumstances 15 years ago has urged the police to drop its "stonewall attitude" and work with the family to try and help solve the case.
Hugh McLeod and his family are convinced that 24-year-old Kevin was murdered, and was beaten up shortly before he ended up in the water at Wick harbour on Sunday, February 9, 1997.
They have been critical of the way the police handled the case but feel that if Northern Constabulary would take "a more positive approach" it could help end their "15-year nightmare".
"There is a totally different regime in operation. Fifteen years on there are hardly any officers left from the era of the original enquiry. It is a different ball game. Surely things can change," he told the Caithness Courier this week.
Mr McLeod, his wife, June, and other members of the family have campaigned tirelessly to try and find out what happened to Kevin and still believe that someone in the community could have some information which would help bring closure to the case.
They recently issued a fresh appeal for information and remain hopeful that someone will come forward with a vital clue.
"Fifteen years on relationships have changed, people have moved on, things have changed. It is possible that additional information could be unearthed or some witnesses could come forward," he said.
"Any minute piece of information could be useful and could be part of the jigsaw.
"Kevin’s case is of much public interest not only in the local community but also throughout Scotland. We believe this case could possibly be resolved by someone in the local community who perhaps has withheld information since Kevin’s horrific death.
"We believe this case can be resolved by bringing those responsible to justice, ending the 15-year nightmare that we and the family have endured."
Mr McLeod added: "We hope someone will come forward and we will be able to let our son finally rest in peace."
Family member Allan McLeod also believes the answer to solving the case lies within the local community and he urged anyone who has any information, however insignificant, to come forward.
The family believe that Kevin, who was found to have severe injuries to his internal organs, was the victim of an attack by several people on the night he died.
Superintendent John Chisholm, of Northern Constabulary, said: "We worked with the family recently at the time of the anniversary of Kevin’s death.
"It is now 15 years since the death of Kevin McLeod in Wick. His death remains a tragic loss to his family, regardless of how long ago this happened.
"Over the years there have been a number of police enquiries, a fatal accident inquiry and Crown Office scrutiny.
"No evidence of any criminality associated with the death of Kevin McLeod has ever come to light. If any fresh information were received it would be fully investigated."
