Police protection for Fife officer at heart of Sheku death probe

Lawyer and MSP question use of patrols outside Kirkcaldy home of officer on paid leave

A Fife police officer at the centre of the Sheku Bayoh death probe has been given round-the-clock protection, it has been claimed.

A number of uniformed police patrols have allegedly taken place in the area of Kirkcaldy where PC Alan Paton lives.

The 44-year-old was one of up to nine officers who restrained Mr Bayoh on May 3 2015 before he died in hospital a short time later while still in police custody.

A relative of Mr Paton, who is currently on paid leave from the force, later claimed his brother-in-law was racist – a suggestion the police officer strongly denies.

One resident on the quiet street, who asked not to be named, said: “I live near his house and there are marked cars driving by four or five times a day, every day.

“This is a quiet cul-de-sac and the only reason the police are here is to check on his house.”

Questions have also been raised by Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP Claire Baker and the Bayoh family’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar.

Mrs Baker said: “Continued checks on one officer’s address every few hours will raise questions about appropriate use of police resources.

“These must be answered.”

Mr Anwar said: “It’s been three years since Sheku’s death and Mr Paton remains off work on full pay.

“Sheku’s loved ones are still fighting for answers and how their son, brother or partner died, and are disgusted that, while they struggle with life on a daily basis, Mr Paton would appear to have round-the-clock police protection.

“I think people quite rightly would ask why he needs such protection, how much this is costing Police Scotland and would patrols not be better doing more useful work?”

The trainee gas engineer’s family are still reeling after discovering the Crown Office had decided that no officers involved in the incident would be prosecuted.

A fatal accident inquiry will be held at a later date.

Police Scotland said it was unable to comment on the uniformed patrols.

Picture: PA. Collette Bell, right, partner of Sheku Bayoh, carries their five-month-old son Isaac during the funeral procession in Kirkcaldy.

Sheku Bayoh died in police custody in May 2015 after being restrained by up to nine officers.