URGENT UPDATE: A man charged with sexually assaulting an eight-year-old boy has died in prison, according to authorities. John Bell, 44, was found dead at HMP Inverness on November 8, just months after being accused of the crime at the Loch Ness Bay Campsite near Drumnadrochit on July 31.
Police Scotland reported that they were alerted to Bell’s death around 5:20 AM. Initial investigations indicate there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal, as is standard procedure following a death in custody.
Bell had been remanded in custody and did not enter a plea during his court appearance in September. The allegations stemmed from an incident where a man allegedly approached the boy in his tent between 12:20 AM and 1:00 AM on that fateful day in July.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service expressed condolences, stating, “Every death, whether in prison custody or in our communities, is a tragedy for all those who knew and supported the individual.” They confirmed that Police Scotland was notified of the incident, with a Fatal Accident Inquiry to follow.
This shocking development raises urgent questions regarding the circumstances leading to Bell’s death and the implications for the ongoing investigation into the assault allegations.
As authorities continue to investigate, the community and families affected by these events are left reeling. This incident highlights the urgent need for awareness and preventative measures surrounding the safety of children in public spaces.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
