Justice Secretary agrees to meet sister of murdered Aberdeen man
Sandra Geddes wants to discuss the 'red flags' she feels were ignored in the lead up to her Brother's murder by a newly released prisoner in December 2019.
Last updated 25th Feb 2021
The sister of murdered Aberdeen man Alan Geddes her succeed in her calls to meet Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf to discuss the circumstances that led to her brother's death.
56-year-old Mr Geddes was stabbed 40 times by 35-year-old Stuart Quinn.
Police said when they arrived to the scene that Mr Quinn told them he believed a man with a gun upstairs was after him - this was similar to stories he had told in previous incidents where the Police were involved.
Quinn had earlier that day been released from HMP Grampian and apparently sobbed as he had supposedly not been told prior he would be leaving and still expected professional help with personal issues.
He claimed he was told to go to a homeless unit in Aberdeen - but when he arrived it was closed, leading to meeting Mr Geddes on a night out, who then offered up a bed for the night.
But Sandra Geddes claims had warning signs not be ignored, her brother would still be here today.
Watch our reporter Lewis Michie's full report:
Miss Geddes told Northsound:
"Words can't express how it made me feel, I remember being violently sick, and not understanding how it had actually happened."
"If someone had stepped in and just recognised this guy had real serious issues, my brother would still be alive today, and my nephew would still have his daddy."
Miss Geddes told us she would like to meet with Humza Yousaf to find a way to prevent another family having to go through their pain.
But she said serious changes are needed.
"Within a 14 day period there is more re offending, we need to make sure that when someone is released from prison that they are monitored for those 14 days."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said:
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mr Geddes’ family. While nothing can ease the pain of losing a loved-one, we note the life sentence imposed on the person responsible for this terrible crime.
“We are working with prison, health and local authority partners to continue reducing reoffending – strengthening the management of prison leavers to reduce risk and keep people safe.
“We are also improving support for victims’ relatives, including creating a service specifically to help those bereaved by crime. We recently received a request for a meeting and the Cabinet Secretary is happy to meet with the family and has asked for arrangements to be made for that.”