INQUIRY UNDER THE FATAL ACCIDENTS AND INQUIRIES (SCOTLAND) ACT 1976 INTO THE SUDDEN DEATH OF PHILIP HOLMES SAFFREY [2011] ScotSC 101 (24 May 2011)

INQUIRY UNDER THE FATAL ACCIDENTS AND INQUIRIES (SCOTLAND) ACT 1976 INTO THE SUDDEN DEATH OF PHILIP HOLMES SAFFREY [2011] ScotSC 101 (24 May 2011)

The deceased, Philip Holmes Saffrey, died as a result of cocaine toxicity, having willingly and knowingly ingested a fatal dose of cocaine while in custody. There was no evidence of negligence or failure in search or prison procedures, nor any evidence of homicide or forced ingestion. The death was determined to be suicide, and no recommendations were made as the circumstances were highly unusual and not indicative of systemic failure.

Citation
[2011] ScotSC 101
Parties
Deceased: Philip Holmes Saffrey; Procurator Fiscal Depute (crown): Mrs Ball; Representative for Scottish Prison Service: Miss Hammond; Representative for Reliance Custodial Services: Miss Davis
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Judgment Date
24 May 2011
Procedural Posture
Fatal Accident Inquiry / Determination
Outcome
Death by suicide due to cocaine toxicity while in custody; no recommendations made.
Legal Topics
Death in Custody, Drug Overdose, Prison Procedures, Suicide, Search Procedures
Criminal Law Prison Law Coroners and Fatal Accident Inquiries Death in Custody Drug Overdose Prison Procedures Suicide Search Procedures

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 2 Authorities cited 1 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 4
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Philip Holmes Saffrey

Deceased

Mrs Ball

Procurator Fiscal Depute (crown)

Miss Hammond

Representative for Scottish Prison Service

Miss Davis

Representative for Reliance Custodial Services

Procedural Posture

Fatal Accident Inquiry / Determination

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Cause and circumstances of death in custody
  2. 2 Adequacy of search and prison procedures
  3. 3 Possibility of homicide or suicide

Ratio Decidendi

The deceased, Philip Holmes Saffrey, died as a result of cocaine toxicity, having willingly and knowingly ingested a fatal dose of cocaine while in custody. There was no evidence of negligence or failure in search or prison procedures, nor any evidence of homicide or forced ingestion. The death was determined to be suicide, and no recommendations were made as the circumstances were highly unusual and not indicative of systemic failure.

Court Disposition

Death by suicide due to cocaine toxicity while in custody; no recommendations made.