The grieving family of a Fife dad who passed away in police custody are being chased for a £6k council tax debt – just 11 days after he died. Scott Hooper became unwell while being detained at Kirkcaldy Police Station on January 22.
Paramedics were called to the scene after the alarm was raised but the 35-year-old was pronounced dead a short time later. His death is currently being treated as “unexplained” with an independent probe launched by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).
His heartbroken family are now desperately gathering funds to pay for his funeral, which is due to be held at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on February 20. But they were left “astounded” after receiving the £6092.80 cash demand from Fife Council on February 2.
Sister Lee Hooper said: “Scott hasn’t even been buried yet and I get this letter from Fife Council. This is ridiculous. We’re absolutely astounded that he’s not even had a funeral yet and I’m being chased for debts that were not mine.
“We don’t have £6000 just lying around. My mum and stepdad are having to scrape the money together for the funeral as it is.”
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The letter, addressed to Miss Hooper as the executor of Scott’s estate read: “I am sorry to hear of your recent bereavement. I understand that you are the executor of the late Scott Hooper.
“Please note there is an outstanding balance of £6092.80 due by the estate. I would be grateful if you could complete and return the attached form within 4 weeks.”
Fife Council has defended the move saying they process debts “as a priority”.
Les Robertson Fife Council’s head of revenue and commercial services said: “We’re sorry if this letter has caused distress but Fife Council, like all other councils in Scotland, is duty bound to notify the executor of the estate if there are debts owed to the council.
“We process this information as a priority to make sure any other recovery action, including letters or visits are stopped immediately.”
Scott Hooper is the fifth person to die at a police station whose officers were probed in connection with the death of Sheku Bayoh in 2015. Marc Hamilton, 36, was found dead in his cell by cops at the Kirkcaldy station at around 10.30am on September 18, 2020.
Stephen ‘Spike’ Campbell, 50, passed away on February 23, 2022, after taking unwell in the cells at the station.
Joseph Sneddon, 37, died at the town’s Victoria Hospital after being restrained by police and medical staff for up to three hours during a mental health crisis on April 8, 2022.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner have confirmed they are investigating the latest death.
A spokesperson said: “We have been directed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to investigate the circumstances of the death of a 35-year-old man while in custody at Kirkcaldy Police Station on 22 January 2024.
“Once the investigation is concluded, a report on our findings will be submitted to the COPFS.”
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