Man charged with sexually assaulting 8-year-old boy found dead in prison cell | UK | News
A 44-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old boy was found dead in his prison cell. John Bell, who died behind bars on November 8, was detained for an alleged attack on a child at the Loch Ness Bay Camping Area in Scotland. An 8-year-old boy was alone in his tent when he was sexually assaulted between midnight and 1 a.m. on July 31. The boy’s father, who was in a nearby tent, was awakened by his son and said he saw the attacker running into the woods.
Bell, of Grangemouth in Falkirk, was charged on September 1 after the sexual assault led to a police manhunt. He was tried under the Sexual Offenses Act 2009 at Inverness Sheriff Court, where he entered no plea. The alleged attacker was arrested and sent to prison for further investigation.
Detective Superintendent Calum Smith said at the time: “We would like to thank the local community for their support during our investigation, particularly local businesses and those who provided information.”
Police reportedly seized more than 1,500 hours of CCTV footage and visited almost 100 properties as part of their investigation into finding Bell.
The defendant was detained at HMP Inverness when he died on Saturday 8 November. A police investigation has been launched, aiming to examine the full circumstances of the death. However, according to The Sun, it is thought that he committed suicide.
Bell’s close relatives were informed about the start of the investigation.
A Fatal Accident investigation will be conducted into the circumstances surrounding his death and will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: “Every death, whether in prison or in our community, is a tragedy for everyone who knows and supports the individual.
“Following the death of someone in our care, Police Scotland was notified and the matter was reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
“Fatal Accident Investigations are being conducted in due course.”
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