A man charged with sexually assaulting a boy in his tent while on a family holiday in the Scottish Highlands has died in prison.
John Bell, 44, was remanded in custody at HMP Inverness after the incident at Loch Ness Bay Campsite near Drumnadrochit on July 31 this year.
Bell was arrested after the eight-year-old’s father told police a man had approached his son while he was alone in his tent between 12.20am and 1am that day. The father had been in a separate tent at the time.
Bell appeared in court in September but made no plea. Reports suggest he died in his cell.
Police Scotland confirmed a man had died at HMP Inverness at 5.20am on Saturday, November 8.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.
‘There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal,’ spokesperson added.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: ‘Every death, whether in prison custody or in our communities, is a tragedy for all those who knew and supported the individual.
‘Following the death of someone in our care, Police Scotland are advised and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Fatal Accident Inquiries are held in due course.’
The boy’s father had noticed a man walking away from his son’s tent and contacted police, the force said at the time.
They described the incident as ‘hugely traumatising for the child and his family – and naturally worrying to the community’.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.