The sister of an Aberdeen dad who was stabbed 40 times by a newly released prisoner will discuss his murder with the Justice Secretary.
Sandra Geddes has campaigned for more support to be given to mentally ill criminals leaving lock up after Stuart Quinn, then 35 years old, knifed her brother Alan, 56, to death.
Quinn ended Mr Geddes’ life in a frenzied attack at his Ruthrieston Crescent flat on December 7 2019, just hours after the Good Samaritan offered the homeless man a place to stay.
He’d slipped into an alcohol and drug-induced psychosis less than 24 hours after walking free from jail.
An investigation by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland revealed that Quinn was unexpectedly released from prison without accommodation or a support package.
Now, Angela Constance MSP has offered to meet Ms Geddes, 66, as the Scottish Government considers potential reforms that may prevent further tragedies.
The high-ranking SNP politician reached out to the campaigner, who has backed a north-east MSP’s initiative to create a post-custody outreach service.
But Conservative Douglas Lumsden’s amendment to the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill has been rejected by Holyrood.
Members of the Criminal Justice Committee voted down the proposal over questions about whether it needs new legislation and concerns about “unintended consequences”.
However, while the Justice Secretary suggested that the amendment lacked detail and she couldn’t support it, she added: “I support the underlying intention”.
‘A significant matter that requires further consideration’
The Cabinet Secretary explained: “We did consult on the provision of support for people released direct from court when developing the bill but it was not clear, however, that a legislative solution was the best one.
“That is not to say that nothing can be done and I intend to work with stakeholders to identify policy and operational solutions.
“While it would not be appropriate to try and implement, in my view, such a change in the context of this legislation when there has not been prior consideration and discussion, it is nonetheless a significant matter that requires further consideration.”
‘Bitterly disappointing the opportunity lost’
The Scottish Tories and Labour parties both supported Mr Lumsden’s initiative, casting four votes in favour of it, while the SNP placed four votes against the amendment.
The deadlock was broken by Aberdeen South and North Kincardine MSP Audrey Nicoll (SNP), whose casting vote halted the amendment’s progress.
Reacting to the result, Douglas Lumsden said: “The tragedy of what happened to Alan Geddes presents a profound case for post-custody outreach.
“It’s needed because there is such a gap when some high-risk offenders go back into the world.
“So it is bitterly disappointing for me that this, a small measure of protection for Scots in the future, has been voted down and the opportunity lost.
“That it was a vote along political lines, with Alan’s constituency MSP as the casting vote, may not be lost on some.”
But Alan’s sister Sandra was more upbeat about developments in her campaign for change.
“When the amendment was voted down, I could totally appreciate where they were coming from,” she told The Press and Journal.
“It was never about making changes quickly. It needs a wider discussion because it is a big issue.
“There are several organisations that have to be involved in this sort of decision-making process – MSPs, NHS providers, social work.”
Ms Geddes welcomed the offer of a meeting with Angela Constance, adding: “The only way that we’re going to achieve change is for me to have this meeting with the Justice Secretary.
“This has been my goal all along. There’s a large group of people who need to get together to plan the new direction.”
Damning report findings
A report published by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland last month revealed that Quinn, who was “recognised to pose a risk of violence”, had been hospitalised four times in the 18 months before Alan Geddes’ murder.
The probe concluded that “if (Quinn) had been offered accommodation in December 2019 this is likely to have reduced the risk to (Alan Geddes) who invited him to his home because of his lack of accommodation”.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance MSP has said that the Scottish Government are “carefully considering” the investigation’s findings and recommendations.
Health ministers will “respond formally in the coming weeks,” she told the Scottish Parliament.
Prior to the damning report’s publication, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) concluded its own probe into the circumstances surrounding Alan’s brutal death.
The Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit (SFIU) found “no causal link” between any form of psychosis or mental illness and the criminal actions of Quinn.
It concluded that “the principal reason” for the father-of-one’s violent death was Quinn’s “own actions whilst under the influence of cocaine and alcohol”.
The SFIU’s findings led to the Crown Office’s decision not to launch a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the tragedy, a decision that the COPFS is currently reviewing.
Ms Geddes has lodged legal action which she intends to “strongly pursue” if officials don’t give in to her demand for an FAI.
All the authorities affected by the court action said that they would not or could not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.
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