Death of man abducted and tortured in Aberdeen high-rise could have been avoided, inquiry finds
Sheriff recommends new Police Scotland guidance on phone reports
The death of a man who fell from an Aberdeen high-rise after being abducted and tortured could have been avoided if police officers had taken better precautions, an inquiry has found.
Jamie Forbes, who was 37, fell from a 12th-floor flat window in Elphinstone Court.
He had been abducted and held against his will for two days by Lee Smith.
What happened to Jamie Forbes
Mr Forbes was struck with a hammer and punched and kicked during the ordeal on 14th and 15th January 2024.
Witnesses called 999 after hearing cries for help and seeing a man with blood on his face at a window of a flat.
Police officers carrying out door-to-door inquiries were unable to trace the source of the pleas and left.
Mr Forbes' body was found on the ground near the flat block on 15th January.
Smith was convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to eight years in prison in 2024.
What the sheriff has recommended
Sheriff Miller has recommended that Police Scotland introduce guidance for service advisors to minimise the scope for misrecording of information reported by phone by members of the public.
That includes requiring advisors to repeat potentially sensitive information, such as the location of the incident, so the caller has the chance to correct any misunderstanding.
The sheriff also advised that further guidance should be introduced.
It would clarify the circumstances in which an attempt should be made to contact a person who has reported a concern for someone.
The aim would be to check and confirm the information reported before investigations are brought to a close.
Family reaction
Mr Forbes' sister, Lyndsay Anne, paid tribute to her brother following the findings.
"Jamie's pain has been taken from him," she said.
"Jamie will be remembered now not for what he suffered, but for how much he was loved, how much people wanted to make a change."
"Jamie's Law will make sure no-one else suffers that and this is what we always fought for," she said.