Man accused of assaulting boy at Highland campsite dies in prison After 6 Weeks
A man accused of sexually assaulting an eight, year, old boy at a campsite near Loch Ness has died in prison, officials have confirmed.
John Bell, 44, was charged in connection with the alleged attack at the Loch Ness Bay campsite in Drumnadrochit. Police said the incident happened between 00:20 and 01:00 on 31 July, when the boy was approached inside his tent.
Bell, who was remanded in custody at HMP Inverness after appearing in court in September, made no plea during his initial appearance.
The BBC understands he was found dead in his cell on Saturday.
Police Scotland said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and that a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. A fatal accident inquiry will be held in due course.
Prison service statement
A spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) described the death as “a tragedy for all those who knew and supported the individual.”
“Every death, whether in prison custody or in our communities, is a tragedy,” they said.
The SPS declined to comment on whether Bell had taken his own life, saying it did not provide details on causes of death.
A medical certificate will be published on the SPS website at a later date.
Incident at Loch Ness campsite
The alleged assault took place while the boy and his family were on holiday in the Highlands over the summer.
Police said the child had been sleeping alone in his tent, while his father was in a separate tent nearby.
The father told officers he saw a man walking away from his son’s tent shortly after midnight. When he confronted the suspect, the man allegedly spoke briefly before walking off.
Police launched an immediate investigation and later charged Bell in connection with the incident.
Read More: Parents Reveal £20,00 Police Payout Over Wrongful WhatsApp Arrest
Community impact
At the time, Police Scotland said the attack had been “hugely traumatising” for the child and his family.
“This has been a deeply distressing experience for all involved, and naturally worrying for the community,” a spokesperson said.
The Loch Ness Bay campsite, located on the outskirts of Drumnadrochit, is a popular destination for visitors to the Highlands, particularly during the summer months.
Bell’s death brings the case to an abrupt close, but the official investigation into the circumstances of his death will now continue.
