Baby's drug-related death to be explored by FAI is 'tragic' case

A baby's drug-related death in Aberdeenshire which is to be explored by a fatal accident inquiry is a "tragic" case, a hearing has been told.

Olly-James Sievewright, from Sandhaven, near Fraserburgh, was three months old when he died in hospital in December 2019 as a result of ingesting ecstasy and the effects of an infection.

His mother Amy Beck was jailed for seven years for exposing him to drugs as well as other charges. Her sentence was later reduced to four years following an appeal.

Dates for the inquiry itself are still to be set, and a continued preliminary hearing will be held later in the year to assess the progress of preparations.

FAIs are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame.

It had been announced in January that the FAI will explore the circumstances of Olly-James' death, and the adequacy of the care provided by NHS Grampian and Aberdeenshire Council's social work department.

On Thursday, an initial preliminary hearing was held at Peterhead Sheriff Court.

Lynsey Rodger, for the Crown, said an independent social worker report was being prepared.

Elaine Smith, for the health board, described it as a "tragic case".

Sheriff Alan Sinclair fixed a further hearing in June.

Beck, from Fraserburgh, was found guilty at the High Court in Aberdeen of exposing the boy to illicit substances between September 2019 and the time of his death three months later.

She was also convicted of being involved in the supply of the Class B drug mephedrone over a period of almost three years and further charges of exposing children to drugs.

The trial heard that her former home in Sandhaven was "polluted" by drugs.

Her sentence was later cut at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh after appeal judges concluded the sentence was "excessive".