At the Eastern High Security Prison in Melrose: inmate Andy Selmour beaten, drugged, and left for dead

At the Eastern High Security Prison in Melrose, inmate Andy Selmour, aged 33, was found dead under mysterious circumstances on December 9, after being beaten, drugged, and abandoned by other inmates. Initially incarcerated for armed robbery since February 12, 2025, he was set to be released in August 2027. The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is investigating a possible drug-related gang conflict as the motive behind his brutal attack.

CCTV footage captured the scene, where Selmour was allegedly assaulted by two fellow inmates. Reports suggest he was forced to ingest a drug-laced substance before being left unconscious on the ground. His body was taken to the Victoria Hospital morgue in Candos, pending an autopsy, while his mother, currently in England, expressed her desire to see him beforehand.

Following the incident, CID officers have been actively investigating within the prison. Eyewitnesses, including guards and inmates from the Kestrel Yard Association where the attack occurred, have been questioned, and forensic teams collected evidence from the scene. Investigators believe that the assailants used metal bars, likely taken from inmate beds, and wooden pieces from 'Carrom' boards to inflict injuries on Selmour.

CCTV footage shows that the initial attack happened around 2 PM, where one assailant struck Selmour in the head with an object, knocking him to the ground. Afterward, he was reportedly surrounded by multiple inmates who forced him to consume a drug-soaked thread, as evidenced by video footage capturing audible instructions from his attackers.

When guards were alerted, they moved Selmour to a different area, but he was pronounced dead shortly after despite medical efforts. An internal investigation has led to the suspension of a prison superintendent and an assistant superintendent due to their roles during the incident, overseen by Commissioner of Prisons Dev Jokhoo. The investigation aims to determine security lapses at the Kestrel Ward, where the fatal assault took place.

Selmour's family is seeking justice, with his daughter recalling her father's unusual behavior during her last visit, expressing concern about his well-being. Meanwhile, five inmates suspected of involvement in the attack have been transferred to other facilities under strict conditions. Commissioner Jokhoo stated the investigation is ongoing, with full cooperation from prison guards, and dismissed allegations that medical aid was denied to Selmour before his death. Activist Bruneau Laurette criticized the prison's security measures and called for transparency in the investigation, questioning the absence of guards during the assault and the delay in medical intervention.