House raider’s jail death sparks probe
A man has died in prison one year into a three-year sentence for a housebreaking in East Kilbride.
Steven Gunn, 41, was found dead at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian.
Police were called to the prison at around 8.10am on Sunday, October 7.
A spokeswoman said the death was not suspicious but is being treated as unexplained.
A fatal accident inquiry will be held to determine the circumstances surrounding Mr Gunn’s death.
Mr Gunn broke into a house in Ballantrae, Stewartfield, in the early hours of August 5 last year and stole a set of car keys.
The front door was smashed with a large brick and the keys to a Ford Fiesta were taken from a sideboard in the hall.
During the disturbance the homeowners, a couple in their 60s, along with relatives in their 20s were woken and one have-a-go hero occupant managed to pin Mr Gunn down until cops arrived.
Mr Gunn, who had previously been handed a six-year stint behind bars for assault and robbery, was convicted at Hamilton Sheriff Court in November and sentenced to three years in prison.
At the time his defence lawyer told the court that, despite initially doing well after being released from prison in 2014, personal problems saw Mr Gunn “revert to type” and that his client had a “hazy recollection” of the offence because he had been taking Valium.
The Scottish Prison Service said: “Steven Gunn, 41, a prisoner at HMP Addiewell has died.
“Police Scotland have been advised and the matter reported to the procurator fiscal.
“A fatal accident inquiry will be held in due course.”
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “Police in West Lothian are investigating following the death of a 41-year-old man within HMP Addiewell.
“The death is currently being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.”
A Crown Office spokesman said: “The procurator fiscal has received a report in connection with the death of a 41-year-old man in HMP Addiewell.
“The investigation into the death, under the direction of Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, is ongoing and the family will be kept updated in relation to any significant developments.”
Mr Gunn was one of four prisoners to die in Scottish prisons over a twoday period.
Two men were convicted prisoners and the others were on remand awaiting trial.