‘If there had been more police this would have been avoided’

Family of man killed at a taxi rank on January 1 claim there were not enough officers in city for time of year

The family of a man who died in a Dundee taxi rank on January 1 say a larger police presence in the city centre could have prevented his death.

Brian Fox, 62, died in the early hours of January 1 after hitting his head on the road in Nethergate.

He was punched by 20-year-old Wes Reid, who was acquitted of culpable homicide on the grounds of self defence at the High Court in Edinburgh last week.

Mr Fox’s brother David, sister Isobel and sister-in-law Aileen say they were left “gobsmacked” by the outcome.

They believe an inadequate police presence in the city was a contributing factor in their relative’s death.

David, 58, a retired policeman, believes CCTV shown during Reid’s trial proved there were not enough police officers in the city for the time of year.

He told the Evening Telegraph: “For any New Year, you put on a large police presence – high-visibility patrols, especially somewhere like Dundee city centre.

“The CCTV video shows footage from the Perth Road and all the way down Nethergate and along the High Street.

“There’s not a police officer or a police car to be seen. We know people were phoning the police at this point (when Brian hit his head) and there’s no one coming.

“The ambulance got there first, 20 minutes after it, and then the police arrived five minutes after that.

“If there had been police on the High Street this would have been avoided.

“Why wasn’t there any police? It’s up to somebody who was in charge of policing that night to say – but we want to know.”

Reid had originally been accused of murdering Brian, alongside 25-year-old Adam Valentine, before prosecutors reduced the charge to culpable homicide prior to his acquittal.

The outcome of Reid’s trial has not brought them closure – but when asked if they would ever want to speak to him to understand why he lashed out, the family rule it out.

David said: “I don’t particularly want to speak to him, at all.

“As far as meeting him and asking him why – he will always be the guy who punched Brian out.”

Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Andrew Todd again expressed his condolences to Brian’s family, but insisted the force had the correct procedures in place to deal with busy nights in Dundee.

He said: “Our sympathies remain with the family of Brian Fox and all those affected by his death.

“With regards to local policing in Dundee, we have extensive plans in place to cover all busy times of the year, including weekends and the festive period. This includes key areas close to licensed premises and taxi ranks.”

Brian Fox’s brother David, sister Isobel and sister-in-law Aileen outside the Bridgeview Station cafe on Riverside Drive beside ironwork that Brian made in his job as a welder before his death.

Brian Fox died in a taxi rank on January 1.