University student, 21, who killed herself within months of being sent to young offenders' institution for dangerous driving, was 'terrified' and 'scolded' by fellow inmates, inquest finds

The mother of a university student who killed herself in prison said her daughter was “terrified” the last time she visited, an inquest heard yesterday.

Katie Allan, 21, took her own life within months of being sent to Polmont Young Offenders Institution, Stirlingshire, for dangerous driving.

Her mother had told a prison officer on the day of her death that Mrs Allan was 'being verbally abused by fellow inmates'.

The agreed evidence was heard on the first day of a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) at Falkirk Sheriff Court, which is investigating the deaths of Ms Allan and another inmate, William Brown, 16.

William was taken into custody after being deemed a 'potential risk to public safety' by Glasgow Sheriff Court on October 4, 2018, three days before his death.

He was found dead in his cell the day after his suicide watch was stopped because he posed 'no clear risk'.

William Brown, 16, was found dead in his cell the day after his suicide watch was stopped because he 'posed no apparent risk'

Ms Allan, from Clarkston, Glasgow, was sentenced to 16 months in prison on March 5, 2018 for dangerous driving while over the drink-drive limit

Polmont Young Offenders Institution, Stirlingshire

In a statement outside court, the families' lawyer Aamer Anwar urged Prime Minister Humza Yousaf to work towards lifting the Crown's immunity, meaning the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is exempt from persecution for the dead.

Ms Allan's parents, Linda and Stuart, backed Mr Anwar when he said they want the Prime Minister to hold the SPS to account.

He added: “While the families recognize today as a milestone on their journey to the truth, this is certainly not the end of the process.

“The Prime Minister, Humza Yousaf, must not betray the many promises he made to these families as Minister of Justice. He cannot escape behind a veil of silence.”

The inquest heard that Ms Allan, of Clarkston, Glasgow, was jailed for 16 months on March 5, 2018, for dangerous driving while over the drink-drive limit.

She was initially taken to Cornton Vale Prison, Stirling, where upon arrival she told a nurse that she had previously injured herself by cutting herself on the wrists.

Two days later she was transferred to Polmont YOI, near Falkirk.

The afternoon before she was found dead, she was visited by her mother and brother.

The FAI heard that at the end of the visit, her mother told an officer that Ms Allan was 'being verbally abused by fellow inmates and was terrified'.

She was last seen alive by staff at around 8.10pm that day, June 3, 2018, while watching TV in her cell.

The next morning she was found dead, having committed suicide.

She had left a note on the desk in her cell and letters to her mother, grandmother and a friend were found on her bookshelf.

The families of Katie Allan and William Brown with lawyer Aamer Anwar outside Falkirk Sheriff Court

Katie's mother told a prison guard on the day she died that she was 'being verbally abused by fellow inmates'

The afternoon before Mrs Allan was found dead, she was visited by her mother and brother. Pictured: Katie's mother, Linda, and father, Stuart

The court heard she had lost more than a stone during her three months in Polmont.

The investigation also revealed that William had walked into a police station with a knife on October 3, 2018, while on bail for a further knife offence.

The investigation revealed that the youth had a history of making suicidal statements.

When asked by a social worker if he was suicidal, he replied: “No, not now, but I don't know how I'll be in prison.”

He was initially subjected to a 30-minute observation 'for reassurance and safety'.

However, a case conference was held on October 5 with a mental health nurse and two prison staff, where he was assessed as being 'not at clear risk of suicide'.

He was found dead at 7.40am on October 7, almost 12 hours after he last had contact with staff.

The Scottish Government said it could not comment on the FAI but would 'consider the outcome carefully'. The investigation continues.

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