A FATAL Accident Inquiry (FAI) is to be held into the deaths from covid of two Dumfries prisoners.
Both Gordon Pinkerton, 75, died on April 22 2020 and Francis Moore, 85, died on February 27 2021 died in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary after contracting the virus while in legal custody within HMP Dumfries.
Now The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a First Notice with the Sheriff Court to commence the court process for a joint FAI.
A preliminary hearing will be held on December 9 at Dumfries Sheriff Court and the FAI itself will take place on December 19.
The purpose will be to determine the causes of death, the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and to establish what reasonable precautions could have been taken to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.
The deaths were investigated by the Covid Deaths Investigation Team within COPFS.
Commenting, Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: “The Lord Advocate considers that the deaths of Gordon Pinkerton and Francis Moore occurred in similar circumstances, both deaths being attributable to the Covid-19 virus contracted whilst in legal custody within HMP Dumfries and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory.
“The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the sheriff.”
