THE wait for an inquiry into the deaths of two young people who took their own lives in the same young offenders institution has been "too long and has caused distress", says the Crown.

A conjoined fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into Katie Allan and William Lindsay's deaths will commence at 10am on January 8 at Falkirk Sheriff Court.

Katie, 21, from Giffnock, was found dead in her cell at Polmont Young Offenders Institution on June 4, 2018.

Meanwhile, William, 16, from Glasgow was found dead in his cell months later on October 7, 2018, at the same facility. 

The purpose of the inquiry is to determine the cause of death, the circumstances in which the death occurred, and to establish what reasonable precautions could have been taken to avoid deaths in similar circumstances.

Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said:  “We acknowledge that the wait for these proceedings has been too long and has caused distress for Katie and William’s families.

“The procurator fiscal has pursued the investigation into their deaths thoroughly and detailed consideration has been given to the views of the families throughout these investigations.

“The FAI will allow a full public airing of all the evidence at which families and other interested parties will be represented. The evidence will be tested in a public setting and be the subject of judicial determination.

“The families and their legal representatives will continue to be kept updated as the Inquiry progresses.”

William, who had been in care repeatedly, died three days after being admitted as there was no space in a children’s secure unit, despite a history of making attempts on his life.

Katie, a student at Glasgow University, was found dead while she served a 16-month sentence for drink-driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, which she had pleaded guilty to.