We want son’s killer brought to justice but also the people who failed him
Family of harbour death Kevin reveal police held back vital info from Crown’s case probe
POLICE Scotland failed to provide key information to Crown Office investigators looking into their handling of a mystery death.
Kevin Mcleod, 24, was found dead in the water at Wick Harbour in February 1997, having suffered massive internal injuries.
Police at the time ruled that he was not murdered – but his family believe he was beaten up before his death.
Almost 25 years later, his relatives are waiting anxiously to learn whether Merseyside Police, brought in as an independent force to re-examine the case, supports their view that he was murdered.
They have been told in a meeting with prosecutors that Police Scotland did not fully co-operate with an earlier probe into their officers.
The force also destroyed Kevin’s clothing without testing it for forensic evidence and without recording who did it or who gave the order to do so.
Official minutes of a meeting between Kevin’s family and the Crown Office show his dad Hugh asked what had happened to an inquiry by the Criminal Allegations Against Police Division. He also asked why Merseyside was carrying out what seemed to be the same investigation.
Deputy Crown Agent Lindsey Miller replied: “CAAPD deal with allegations of criminal activity by the police on duty.
“CAAPD raised concerns with me that the police were not providing all of the information CAAPD needed.
“That was then raised with the Chief Constable and that the Crown had concerns about this review. That’s why it was then sent to Merseyside to deal with. CAAPD still have a role, the prosecutors and paralegals there look at criminality by the police.”
Merseyside’s review is complete and its report is being considered by the Crown Office, with the family expecting to learn the conclusions within the next few weeks.
But the Mcleods were angry to learn of concerns over the earlier CAAPD probe.
Kevin’s uncle Allan Mcleod said: “You have to conclude that the information withheld by Police Scotland was going to put them even deeper into bother.
“So we need to know whether Police Scotland then provided Merseyside Police with the information that they had failed to provide to the CAAPD.”
He added: “We need to see justice done. We want his killer or killers brought to justice, but also people who failed him brought to account.”
Assistant Chief Constable John Hawkins said: “We will take time to study Merseyside’s review and our thoughts remain with Kevin’s family and friends at this time.
“As this document has now been delivered to Crown Office, we are unable to comment further.”
A Crown Office spokesperson said: “When we have fully considered the review, we will meet with the family to discuss the findings.”