An Aberdeen teenager has been found dead in a young offenders institution – just days days after he admitted attacking a city woman in her home.
Raygen Merchant took his own life at the Polmont centre, in Falkirk, yesterday morning.
It is thought the 17-year-old – who has been in custody since November last year – committed suicide in his cell.
He was found dead by prison officers yesterday morning at 5.30am during the opening-up process.
Emergency services were called to the scene.
A police investigation into his death has now been launched.
The former Northfield Academy pupil appeared at Glasgow High Court on Wednesday and admitted attacking Aberdeen woman, Auriela Blacklaw, in her Garthdee home with a knife after her 10-year-old son tried to fight him off.
He was due to return for sentencing at Perth on November 11.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) yesterday confirmed a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into his death would take place.
A spokeswoman said: “A prisoner has been found dead at HMYOI Polmont on Friday, October 17, 2014.
“Raygen Merchant, 17, had been in custody since November 14, 2013.
“Police Scotland have been advised and the matter will be reported to the procurator fiscal. Next of kin have been informed and a fatal accident inquiry will be held in due course.”
The teenager’s family did not wish to comment last night, however as news of his death emerged tributes were posted on social media sites.
One woman said: “Rip wee man, Raygen Merchant”, while other friends wrote: “Rip mate” and “Can’t believe it x”.
Another said: “(You) never even said goodbye, I was your wee bro Raygen, sleep tight though big brother, we’ll all see you very, very soon. Love you big man x.”
North east Labour MSP, Lewis Macdonald, said it was “a young life cut short” and claimed the situation could have been averted if the teenager had been held closer to home.
He has previously been critical of the policy of sending young offenders to Polmont following the creation of HMP Grampian and the closures of HMP Craiginches and Peterhead earlier this year, saying it made it difficult for families to visit.
He said: “I couldn’t comment on the circumstances of the case, but it is true that young offenders from the north east are still not held nearer home.
“They are not held at HMP Grampian as it is not able to accommodate them.
“Clearly in this case he was far from home and took his own life while held in a young offenders institute for a very serious crime, but the waste of any life is a matter of regret.
“Anyone in these circumstances would want family contact and this would have helped to come to terms with his crime.
“This is one of the key reasons I am very keen that young offenders are held closer to home.”
Earlier this week, the High Court heard that Merchant pushed Ms Blacklaw around the property before insisting she go upstairs with him on November 12, 2013.
However, her son Kyle, jumped on to his back, throwing him off guard, before running to alert neighbours.
Ms Blacklaw was stabbed in the neck on the staircase of her property when she slipped trying to protect herself, and suffered permanent damage to her hand following the attack.
He was later caught by police after trying to evade them when they arrived at his girlfriend’s home.