PROSECUTORS have said that a man who assaulted a fellow dementia sufferer minutes before his death will not be charged.
The Crown Office has confirmed it will not be taking action over the death of 91-year-old John Taylor last year at a care home near Inverness.
However, an investigation has been launched into the home, Meallmore Lodge home at Daviot, by the Care Inspectorate.
Mr Taylor’s son has also said that serious questions remain unanswered about the tragedy and why it was not prevented.
Mr Taylor, a retired civil engineer from Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, suffered nine injuries to his head during the attack and died shortly afterwards of a blood clot.
The incident happened on October 16 in the home’s dining room in front of seven other residents, but no staff were present.
The attacker, who has now been moved to a psychiatric hospital, is alleged to have had a history of aggressive behaviour.
Police carried out a probe into the death, before the inquiry was taken over by the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit at the Crown Office, but the procurator fiscal has said that “no further action is required”.
Mr Taylor’s son, Ian Taylor, of Cromarty, said his family was still seeking answers.
“We understand from the Crown Office that the procurator fiscal will not be taking any action against the person who committed the assault due to him suffering from dementia,” he said.
“The cause of my father’s death has been given as a pulmonary embolism, and as such the pathologist cannot directly link this to the assault which took place.
“This, however, does not alter the fact that my father died within a few minutes of an attack which left him with multiple facial injuries in a care home, where care should be one of their primary concerns.”
Mr Taylor added: “The questions which still have to be answered and addressed include why was there no supervision in the dining room where many residents congregated and the assault took place?
A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate confirmed an investigation was under way.
“A concern has been raised with us about this service and we are considering that carefully,” he said.
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