The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Sheku’s family want civil action to find answers
Lawyer says case could be launched within months
A civil action against Police Scotland’s handling of the Sheku Bayoh case could be launched within months, the family’s lawyer Aamer Anwar has revealed.
In a documentary, After Sheku, which will be screened on BBC2 tonight at 9pm, Mr Anwar confirms that a civil action is being considered. He said this “means we will be able to ask the questions we want to ask” about the death of the 31-year-old father-of-two in police custody in Kirkcaldy on May 3 2015.
Sheku, 31, died after being restrained by police who used CS spray, batons, wrist and ankle restraints.
He was pronounced dead two hours after coming into contact with police who were responding to reports of a man carrying a knife. Although a knife was not found on him, one was later recovered near the scene.
Mr Anwar, who has suggested a police cover-up, said: “Why did police officers feel the need to have this treatment of Sheku that day and did it arise in his death?”
The documentary, which follows the family over 20 months as they seek answers, includes interviews with family and friends of Sheku, as the Crown consideration of an investigation into the circumstances of his death continues.
Footage also includes riots in Ferguson, Missouri, following the fatal shooting in 2014 of 18-year-old black man Michael Brown by a white officer.
Sheku, who lived in Kirkcaldy with girlfriend Collette Bell and their baby son, died in Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital following the incident on Hayfield Road.
Almost two years on his family are still fighting for the truth of what happened.
A probe by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) concluded in August and a report was passed to the Crown.
However, the family are still waiting to find out if criminal charges will be brought.
Sheku’s sister Kadi Johnson said: “We want justice to be done. We want to know the truth.”
Collette Bell said of her partner: “He was such a kind, caring gentleman. He would do anything for anybody.”
Police Scotland told the programme: “We have been committed to cooperating with the Pirc and the Crown Office throughout the investigative process. We cannot comment on the events of May 3 2015 while the Crown evaluates the independent finding submitted by the Pirc.”