Grieving partner condemns police handling of boyfriend’s death
THE partner of a man believed to have lain dead in his van for days after police checked the vehicle says she has lost faith in the service.
David Penman, 46, was found dead in a parked van in Dunipace, near Falkirk, on Thursday December 15.
But the van had been checked over by officers up to 48 hours before the discovery and the matter has now been reported to the police watchdog the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc).
It is understood Mr Penman had not been reported missing to Police Scotland when they responded to a call from a member of the public to inspect a vehicle that was parked in a lane.
The van was properly taxed and insured when officers ran the checks and had not been involved in an accident.
But his grieving partner Ann Skinner has condemned the way the case was handled by police and is now demanding to know why there was a delay.
She said: “The police didn’t tell us that they had received a call earlier in the week.
“I’ve got no faith in the police any more.”
Ms Skinner last saw her boyfriend on the morning of December 12 when he left the couple’s home in Denny, Stirlingshire to go to work.
She said he was in good spirits but was still struggling to cope with the death of his son also David, 21, who was killed in a forklift accident several years ago.
She added: “I don’t know what’s happened to David but I really need to know.”
Concerns over the length of time the van had been parked in a lay-by were raised with Police Scotland days earlier, and the force has now referred the case over to Pirc to deal with.
Superintendent Martin Fotheringham said: “Police Scotland has reported the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a 46-year-old man’s body within a van, which was parked in the Dunipace area of Denny on Thursday December 15, to the Crown Office and Procurator Service (COPFS).
“We will provide any necessary assistance to the Pirc as they conduct their investigation.
“We await the outcome of their report.
“Our thoughts are with the gentleman’s family at this time.”
A Pirc spokeswoman said: “COPFS has asked for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 46-yearold man.
“A report will be submitted to COPFS in due course.” Fiscal