Crown considers action over reveller’s death

Man who had been at T in the Park was found dead after getting off bus on way home

Prosecutors are considering fresh action over the death of a T in the Park reveller.

Jim Richardson’s body was found at a remote farm in Perthshire two days after the 2016 Strathallan Castle music festival.

The circumstances around his death, particularly Police Scotland’s initial response, were investigated by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc).

The force watchdog submitted its report to the Crown Office at the beginning of January.

More than three months on, the prosecution service said it is still contemplating Pirc’s findings and has yet to make a decision.

A spokesman said: “We have received a report from the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner concerning their investigation into the death of James Richardson in the Forteviot area on July 12 2016. The report remains under consideration.”

Pathologists found the 29-yearold had almost certainly taken drugs before he died.

Mr Richardson was on a bus home from the festival on Monday July 11 when it stopped on the A9, near Auchterarder.

He got off for a cigarette at around 2.30pm but never got back on board.

Mr Richardson texted his wife Samantha, at the family home in Wishaw, to say he had been left at the roadside with his belongings.

He was found dead several miles away at Wester Cairnie Farm, near Forteviot, the following morning.

His death initially baffled police, who said he appeared to have no noticeable injuries.

An autopsy concluded the track engineer died at 9.50am on July 12 and that his death was “presumed drugrelated”.

Mr Richardson was the third drugs death linked to last year’s T in the Park festival.

Organisers DF Concerts scrapped plans for a 2017 event in an effort to get on top of traffic and security problems which have plagued the festival since it moved to Strathallan Castle two years ago.

Festival boss Geoff Ellis recently announced he was considering introducing an over-18s policy if T in the Park returns to Perthshire. He also said he wanted to reduce the amount of electronic dance music on the bill.

The company will need to submit a fresh planning application for a return to Strathallan.

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Crowds enjoy the music at T in the Park at Strathallan Castle in July last year.

Festival-goer Jim Richardson got off a bus to have a cigarette but never got back on board. He was found dead the next day.