Why will you not treat my sister’s death as murder?
Peter demands action on new evidence to finally get justice for foster tot Alexina, two
THE brother of a tragic toddler who died in care more than 60 years ago has demanded to know why police have not launched a murder probe.
Peter Kelbie believes two-yearold Alexina was murdered when she died of a major head injury while living with foster parents in Dundee in 1960, but no criminality was established.
Police Scotland apologised to the tot’s family in 2022 after a review revealed they were not alerted to harrowing evidence of abuse and extensive injuries which had remained hidden for decades.
Now Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department is examining Peter’s calls for a fresh probe into Alexina’s death and his demands to see more evidence in his sister’s case.
He said: “Sorry is one thing but dealing with justice is another.
“Police Scotland should have reopened the case in 2022 and they should have exhumed Alexina due to the new evidence released. What the hold up is, I don’t know. There is a lot more to Alexina’s death than meets the eye. I don’t think they’ll exhume Alexina and sadly I don’t think she, mum or dad will ever get justice. But I know I’ll never give up.” Alexina and her siblings, who were of Romany Gypsy heritage, were taken into temporary care after allegations of negligence at camps emerged. She died of a head injury after being taken to hospital by her foster mother on August 31, 1960. An investigation suggested it was self inflicted and no criminality was established by police. Tayside Police carried out reviews at Peter’s request in 1988, 1993 and in 2006. The detective in charge of the 1988 review concluded Alexina’s death had been fully investigated. The 1993 review showed physical abuse was investigated but the post mortem did not provide evidence to support it. But in 2021, Police Scotland admitted former Tayside Police offers did not alert relatives to a huge development uncovered during the 2006 review, when renowned pathologist Prof Derek Pounder found evidence of extensive abuse while examining freshly uncovered photographs of the child’s body which had previously been missing.
Peter, who lives in Gretna, rejected an “insulting” £25,000 compensation offer after police admitted officers demonstrated “poor judgment”.
Prof Pounder told the Record last year he would back Peter’s calls for Alexina’s remains to be exhumed, saying an examination of her bones and skull could help prove murder.
Peter has now penned a letter to Police Scotland to demand they reopen the case in light of Prof Pounder’s revelations to find the proof she was killed. Peter also wants to see statements his late mother gave to police on the day she viewed Alexina’s body, saying a string of relatives he has met with in recent years all say the mum saw coal marks on Alexina’s face and feared she had been battered with a fire poker.
He said in his letter: “In the passage of time it’s established that all departments in Alexina’s care have completely failed Alexina and did conceal the forensic evidence in 1960.”
He also accused officers who dealt with the case of “corruption” saying some failed to “pursue a proper professional police investigation into Alexina’s murder”.
Police Scotland said Peter’s complaints and requests were being investigated.
A spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts remain with Alexina Kelbie’s family, we recognise the considerable distress they have suffered over many years.
“Recent correspondence has been received from Mr Kelbie and has been referred to the Professional Standards Department to be reviewed. It would be inappropriate to comment further while this is ongoing.”