HMA v Raymond McPhee

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

HMA v Stuart Cossar

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Conclusion of Fatal Accident Inquiry

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

HMA v MARK CHRISTOPHER SIMPSON

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

“I wish to add that the evidence which I have heard in the course of this trial gives rise to serious concern on my part about the way in which baby Alexis was dealt with by the Health Service and whether her subsequent death could have been prevented had signs of non-accidental injury been detected earlier. It is not for me to ascribe blame to anyone in these criminal proceedings, but I consider that there are two matters which call for an inquiry with a view to preventing a tragedy such as the one that occurred in this case ever occurring again.

First, I was concerned to learn of the appointments system operated by the Woodside Medical Group in relation to baby Alexis. Three separate drugs were prescribed for her by a doctor after a telephone consultation with her mother and without his having seen or examined baby Alexis. Expert medical witnesses expressed surprise at this, and so do I. Moreover, it must be a matter of concern that a young mother who was seriously concerned about her baby’s health and sought an appointment with a doctor on a Thursday was offered one only for the following week. It is my opinion that the appointments system operated at this surgery may require urgent review so as to ensure that children requiring urgent attention receive it by being seen by a doctor there.

Secondly, I was very disturbed to learn that, when baby Alexis was seen by a doctor on Thursday 29 November after her grandmother had insisted on an urgent appointment, she was not examined by the doctor in question and nothing was done about possible signs of non-accidental injury, namely, subconjunctival haemorrhages in both eyes. Evidence was given by a consultant neurosurgeon that the explanation given for these haemorrhages could not possibly be an explanation and that baby Alexis should have been referred to a paediatrician. A consultant paediatrician gave evidence that it would have been best for the GP to phone the paediatricians for a consultation and had that been done baby Alexis would have been admitted to hospital more or less immediately. Whether the death of baby Alexis could have been prevented had she been so referred is a matter which, in my opinion, merits a very full inquiry. The training of GPs, and also health visitors, to detect signs of non-accidental injury may be a matter that requires further consideration. I trust that the Crown will give serious consideration to the question whether a fatal accident inquiry should now be held in this case”.

You can read the sentence imposed on Mark Simpson here.

Rosepark Fatal Accident Inquiry

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

HMA v MALCOLM WEBSTER

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

On 22 February 2011 the jury in the trial of Malcolm Webster is scheduled to visit the locus, which is located on a section of the Auchenhuive to Tarves Road, Kingoodie, Aberdeenshire.

The jury is expected to arrive at approximately 10.00am.

Between 10.00am and 10.30am the jury will inspect the locus. They will then board the bus and depart the scene for approximately one hour whilst a replica vehicle is winched into place within the locus. The jury will then return to the locus to view the vehicle in situ.

Once the visit has concluded the jury will board the bus and depart for Glasgow.

Lord Bannatyne has issued the following guidance in relation to media coverage of this event.

1. The media may film/photograph the bus on which the jury will arrive but must not film/photograph any member of the jury.

2. The media must not film/photograph the jury, judge, counsel, solicitors or the accused at any time during the locus visit.

3. The media must not film/photograph anything that occurs during the presence of the jury at the locus. In addition they cannot film/photograph the vehicle being placed into position by the crane.

4. The media will be allowed access to the locus from the main access road (A947 - which is the route via which the jury will arrive), upon production of identification prior to 9.30 am only. At 9.30 am the police will close this road and the media will have to gain access from the opposite end (Cairnbrogie crossroads).

5. Between 9.30am and 9.45am, prior to the arrival of the jury, the media may film/photograph the locus. At the end of the visit, when the jury has departed, the media will be allowed to film/photograph the replica vehicle in position for a period of 15 minutes. They will not be permitted to film the replica vehicle being removed.

6. The police will allocate a parking area for the media on the closed road. The media may bring their vehicles forward once the jury has left.

If you have any further questions please contact the Judicial Office for Scotland