No inquiry set for baby death case

A FATAL accident inquiry (FAI) will not be held following the death of a six-weekold baby more than seven years ago, the Crown Office has confirmed.

Officials announced they have made the decision following discussions with the family of Alexis Matheson. The Crown Office said the facts and learning points had already been established through earlier processes.

Mark Simpson was jailed for life in November 2010 and ordered to spend at least 20 years behind bars after being found guilty of murdering Alexis, the daughter of his then live-in partner.

Simpson, aged 29 at the time of sentencing, had denied assaulting the child at his Aberdeen home in 2007.

The Crown Office initially said that an FAI would be held into the death after the trial judge, Lord Uist, raised concerns about the child’s medical care.

A subsequent significant case review was later carried out which issued recommendations but concluded that the death could not have been foreseen or prevented.

The Crown Office said the decision not to hold an FAI followed a “careful review” of all the factors involved.

A spokesman said: “The decision was made following discussions with Alexis’ family.

“Crown Counsel are satisfied reasons for the death have already been established through the criminal prosecution process.”

The spokesman said that NHS had ordered a significant case review which identified learning points.

He added: “Experts in the Crown Office’s Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit sought assurances from the NHS that the recommendations in the review would be implemented.”

Recommendations which might have been made in an FAI determination have already been addressed by these actions, he added.