Inquiry to be held into Aberdeenshire baby boy's death after 'party' drug exposure

A fatal accident inquiry is to be held into the death of a baby boy who ingested a "party" drug at his Aberdeenshire home.

Three-month-old Olly-James Sievwright died in hospital in December 2019 as a result of consuming mephedrone, also known as M-CAT, combined with the effects of a peritonitis infection.

His drug-dealing mother, Amy Beck, was initially jailed for seven years for exposing her son to M-CAT as well as MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, at their home in Sandhaven.

During her trial at the High Court in Aberdeen, jurors heard how the house was "polluted" by drugs, and the mephedrone may have compromised her baby's ability to deal with the implications of contracting peritonitis.

Beck, now of Fraserburgh, was additionally convicted of being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug over a three-year period, as well as further charges of exposing children to controlled drugs in a manner "likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to their health".

Her sentence was later reduced to four years following a successful appeal.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has now lodged a first notice to begin the court process for a fatal accident inquiry (FAI), with a preliminary hearing to be held at Peterhead Sheriff Court on 5 March.

The FAI will determine Olly-James' cause of death; the circumstances in which it occurred; and establish what reasonable precautions, if any, could have been taken and could be implemented to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.

COPFS anticipates that the FAI will explore "the adequacy of the care" provided to Beck and her son by NHS Grampian and Aberdeenshire Council's social work department.

Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame.

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Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: "The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Olly-James Sievwright occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern and as such a discretionary fatal accident inquiry should be held.

"The lodging of the first notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the sheriff.

"Olly-James' family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress."

NHS Grampian said it was unable to comment due to the live legal proceedings, but pledged: "We will be fully engaged in the process."

Aberdeenshire Council has been contacted for comment.

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