Ex-cop 'haunted' by struggle with Sheku

A FORMER police officer injured in the struggle with Sheku Bayou has said the memory of the event continues to haunt her.

- RICHARD ELIAS

Nicole Short was punched to the ground by Mr Bayou and says she was also stamped on.

The circumstances of Mr Bayou’s death, aged 31, are being explored at a public inquiry that begin five years ago and has cost almost £25 million.

The inquiry is currently in limbo after its chairman and several leading counsel withdrew.

Yesterday, Ms Short, who left the police in 2019 on medical grounds, addressed the media at a press conference accompanied by the chairman of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), David Kennedy and lawyer Peter Watson.

KNIFE

Mr Bayou was black and his family have argued that race was a factor in what played out that night, Sunday, May 3 in 2015.

Police were called to reports of a man acting erratically and carrying a knife in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Six officers were dispatched to the scene, including Ms Short.

After being restrained, Mr Bayoh lost consciousness and died later that night in hospital.

The SPF has said that it should be Ms Short and her colleagues who are at the centre of an inquiry and not the deceased.