Fatal Accident Inquiry begins into Barlinnie prisoner's death

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 09:03 · Archive

A Fatal Accident Inquiry has begun into the death of George Metcalff, a 74-year-old lifer at HMP Barlinnie who died in August 2024.

A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) has begun into the death of George Metcalff, a 74-year-old prisoner at HMP Barlinnie who died at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital on 30 August 2024. Metcalff was serving a life sentence following his conviction in November 2021 for the rape and murder of Patricia Henry at her home in Girvan, South Ayrshire in November 2017. He was also found guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice, and of assaults and rapes on other women between 1971 and 2004.

Because Metcalff was in legal custody and in the care of the state at the time of his death, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is obliged to investigate such deaths. A Fatal Accident Inquiry is therefore a mandatory procedure. The inquiry will determine the cause of death, the circumstances in which it occurred, and what steps could have been taken to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances. Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature and seek to establish facts rather than apportion blame.

A preliminary hearing will be held on 1 December 2026 at Dumbarton Sheriff Court. Andy Shanks of the COPFS said: 'The Lord Advocate considers that the death of George Metcalff occurred whilst he was in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory. The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.'

How it is being reported

• Probe launched after 74-year-old murderer and rapist prisoner diesGeorge Metcalff was found guilty of murdering Patricia Henry in 2021The Herald · 22 Oct, 08:53
• FAI begins into the death of Barlinnie prisoner who raped and murdered Paisley mumGeorge Metcalff was handed a life sentence in November 2021 over the killing of Patricia "Patti" Henry.Glasgow Live · 22 Oct, 08:43
• FAI begins into death of Barlinnie prisoner who raped and murdered womanA Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) has begun into the death of a Barlinnie prisoner who was jailed raping and murdering a womanGlasgow Times · 22 Oct, 07:33

In this story: George Metcalff · Patricia Henry · HMP Barlinnie · Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service · Girvan · South Ayrshire · Dumbarton Sheriff Court

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