Three-month-old child died after ingesting ‘get together medicine’ M-cat and ecstasy at residence
Little Olly-James Sievwright died in hospital after being exposed to the party drugs at his home in Sandhaven, Aberdeenshire – his mum, Amy Beck was later jailed
Amy Beck was jailed(Image: Newsline )
The tragic death of a baby who ingested party drugs at his home in Aberdeenshire is set to be scrutinised by a sheriff. Olly-James Sievwright sadly passed away in hospital on 22 December 2019, having suffered from peritonitis and exposure to Class B drug mephedrone, also known as M-CAT, and MDMA, commonly referred to as Ecstasy, at his residence in Sandhaven.
His mother, Amy Beck, 32, was sentenced to seven years in prison in April 2024, which was later reduced to four years.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has initiated the court process for a Fatal Accident Inquiry by lodging a First Notice. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 5 at Peterhead Sheriff Court.
This inquiry will delve into the circumstances surrounding Olly-James’ death and evaluate the care provided to Amy Beck and Olly-James by NHS Grampian and the Aberdeenshire social work department, reports the Daily Record.
Andy Shanks, representing the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scotland’s authority for investigating deaths, stated: “The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Olly-James Sievewright occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern and as such a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry should be held.
“The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff. Olly-James’ family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.”
Beck was found guilty following a trial at Aberdeen High Court of involvement in supplying mephedrone, plus three additional charges of exposing children, including Olly-James, to drugs in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or harm to their health.
She received a seven-year prison sentence but had her term reduced after her legal team lodged an appeal contesting the length of her jail time.
Her sentence was slashed to four years after judges at Edinburgh’s Court of Criminal Appeal deemed it “excessive”.
Lord Matthews, delivering the court’s ruling, stated: “We have come to the conclusion, in all the circumstances, it can properly be said the sentence was excessive.”
The appeal judges noted that whilst Beck had been involved in drug dealing for nearly three years, she had no intention of harming children nor did she intend for her baby son to die.
They described it as clearly a tragic case which demonstrated that the misuse of controlled substances could have far-reaching consequences beyond the obvious ones.
