FURTHER INFO- PRESS RELEASE POST MEETING WTH LORD ADVOCATE ON THE DEATH IN POLICE CUSTODY JOSEPH SNEDDON

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE DEATH OF JOSEPH SNEDDON IN POLICE CUSTODY IN KIRKCALDY- FOLLOWING TODAY’S MEETING WITH THE LORD ADVOCATE-PRESS RELEASE, 15 FEBRUARY 2023

Statement by Aamer Anwar on behalf of the Sneddon family

The family of Joseph Sneddon welcomed today’s meeting with the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC. The Lord Advocate was told by the family that they have been tortured by the lack of information as to how and why Joseph Sneddon met his death. 21 pages of the post-mortem had 11 pages totally redacted.

The Lord Advocate said the narrative of restraint of Joseph Sneddon is critical to determining if there is any potential criminality on behalf of the police officers, security guards, and the Victoria Hospital and the Crown Office wanted to ensure that the narrative was accurate and nothing interfered with the integrity of their investigation.

The family advised the Lord Advocate that they have no confidence in the ability of the PIRC to deliver a robust and impartial investigation.

The Lord Advocate revealed today that they are investigating the actions of 6 police officers and 2 security guards, who were involved restrained Joseph for a period of up to 2 ½ to 3 hours.

They applied fast straps and a spit hood to Joseph, he had 36 separate injuries to his body. It is clear that Joseph was a terrified young man as he faced the brutal use of force, in what his family had hoped would be a place of safety whilst he was in the midst of a mental health crisis.

The Lord Advocate promised the family a robust ad independent investigation. The family are aware that the police officers left the hospital to return to Kirkcaldy Police Office and were allowed to sit together. They also now know that following Joseph’s death, the CID were involved in searching Joseph’s house- they believe this was done with the intention of trying to smear Joseph following his death. Which senior officer at Police Scotland instructed the CID to search for such information?

Did Police Scotland really think that Joseph’s life was so cheap that his family would just walk away?  The Sneddon family are determined to fight for justice and the truth for Joseph, however long it takes.