A tragic incident unfolded when a “good Samaritan”, Alan Geddes, aged 56, lost his life at the hands of a recently released convict, Stuart Quinn. The heartbreaking event occurred in December 2019, just a day after Quinn was released from prison. Geddes showed kindness to Quinn, a homeless man, by offering him shelter at his home after a night out. However, Quinn repaid this generosity with a brutal attack, stabbing Geddes 40 times. In February 2021, Quinn was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 18 years for the murder.
It has come to light that Quinn, upon his release, attempted to access a homeless unit only to find it closed. This revelation raises questions about the support available to individuals transitioning from incarceration back into society. The family of Alan Geddes has taken legal action against various authorities, including the Scottish Government, NHS Grampian, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), Aberdeen City Council, and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS). They seek accountability for the failure to prevent Geddes’ tragic death.
A report by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland shed light on Quinn’s history, documenting his struggles with drug-induced psychosis. Quinn had multiple short admissions to a psychiatric hospital in 2018 but continued to grapple with paranoid delusions. Following his time in prison, Quinn was released without adequate support or accommodation, which may have contributed to the tragic outcome. The report outlined recommendations for future actions to prevent similar incidents.
In response to the legal action taken by Geddes’ family, the involved bodies have refrained from commenting extensively due to the ongoing proceedings. The Scottish Government expressed condolences to the Geddes family, affirming that they are unable to provide comments on active legal cases. Similarly, NHS Grampian and Aberdeen City Council acknowledged the legal action against them, while the SPS extended sympathy to Geddes’ family.
The quest for justice for Alan Geddes continues as the case progresses through the Court of Session. The upcoming hearing, scheduled for May 13 next year, signifies a crucial juncture in the pursuit of accountability for the tragic loss of a compassionate soul. As the legal battle unfolds, the spotlight remains on the need for improved support systems for individuals reintegrating into society post-incarceration to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.