The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
No criminal investigation into twin deaths
Crown Office: FAI will not be held into tragic deaths of two-year-olds
There will be no criminal investigation into the tragic deaths of twin toddlers who drowned in a fish tank at their home in Fife last year.
Two-year-olds Rhys and Shaun Scott died in hospital in March 2016, after falling into a tank for ornamental fish at their parents’ rented home in Breakers Way, Dalgety Bay.
The Crown Office said no fatal accident inquiry would be held into their deaths and no criminal proceedings would be brought.
Parents Mervyn Scott, 31 and Sarah Aitken, 33, have been informed of the Crown Office’s decision.
At the time of the young boys’ passing, Mervyn and Sarah paid an emotional tribute to their “miracle babies”, full of “fun and happiness”, and thanked everyone who had tried to save their lives.
An investigation was carried out by Police Scotland, the Health and Safety Executive and Fife Council after their deaths in March 2016.
A spokesman for the Crown Office said: “Crown counsel have concluded that there should be no criminal proceedings following the tragic deaths of Rhys and Shaun Scott at their home in Dalgety Bay in March 2016.
“After carefully considering the reports that were submitted to the procurator fiscal, crown counsel have also decided that there should be no fatal accident inquiry as the reasons for the tragedy were established during the course of the investigation.
“That investigation was carried out by Police Scotland, the Health and Safety Executive and Fife Council, with oversight from the specialist Scottish fatalities investigation unit of the Crown Office.
“The family of Rhys and Shaun have been informed of crown counsel’s instructions.”
A previous occupant of the house had apparently installed the pond for keeping the ornamental fish koi carp.
Okayama Koi Ltd was listed as having its correspondence address at the property, according to Companies House.