Jail and Health Board Admit Criminal Charges Over Covid Death Edinburgh 2026

Key Points

• Sodexo Limited and NHS Lothian pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to criminal health and safety breaches over the death of 34-year-old prisoner Calum Inglis.
• Mr Inglis, an asthmatic who was unvaccinated, caught Covid-19 inside HMP Addiewell and died in his cell on 24 October 2021 after falling ill 12 days earlier.
• This marks the first successful prosecution in the UK for a Covid-19-related death.
• Defense lawyer Aamer Anwar urged the Scottish Government to cancel Sodexo’s contract to manage HMP Addiewell.
• Sheriff Senior Judge Alistair Noble deferred sentencing until December 2026.

EDINBURGH (Edinburgh Daily) November 6, 2026 – Private corrections provider Sodexo Limited and NHS Lothian have entered guilty pleas at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to criminal charges arising from systemic health and safety failures that resulted in the death of prisoner Calum Inglis.

The 34-year-old inmate died inside his cell at West Lothian’s HMP Addiewell on 24 October 2021. He was serving a short sentence and was months away from scheduled release when he contracted coronavirus.

As reported by Neil Pooran of the London Evening Standard, solicitor Aamer Anwar, representing the family of Mr Inglis, stated outside court that “this is the first successful prosecution in the United Kingdom for a Covid-19-related death”.

Why Were Criminal Charges Brought Against the Prison Operator and Health Board?

According to prosecution files presented to the court, Mr Inglis tested positive for Covid-19 on 12 October 2021 and was instructed to self-isolate in his cell. Over the subsequent twelve days, his condition degraded severely without adequate medical interventions.

Court records indicate that Mr Inglis repeatedly activated his cell intercom system to request urgent medical aid, reporting acute shortness of breath and coughing up blood. Despite his deteriorating status, necessary clinical assessments were not executed by healthcare staff or prison supervisors.

A post-mortem examination determined that Mr Inglis suffered from severe pulmonary complications, bacterial infections, and sepsis brought on by the virus.

What Did the Victim’s Family and Legal Representatives Statement Reveal?

As reported by Sally Hind of the Daily Record, Jennifer Inglis, the mother of the deceased and a former nurse, stated: “Knowing how my boy must have suffered in his cell for 12 days, it is something that will haunt me for the rest of my life. He was not just a prisoner. He was my son, a brother, an uncle, and a nephew. He was loved, he mattered. He deserved compassion, dignity, and proper medical care”.

Speaking on behalf of the family following the formal court hearing, human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar issued a critical appraisal of conditions inside the private penal facility.

As reported by the Morning Star, solicitor Aamer Anwar stated that “Calum had a right to life, but his family believe he was treated worse than an animal. Left caged, terrified and alone, repeatedly pressing at intercom, screaming for help, coughing up blood. He was left to die alone and without dignity for 12 days, without any support from prison officers or healthcare staff from Lothian health board”.

How Have Sodexo and NHS Lothian Responded to the Guilty Pleas?

Representations made on behalf of Sodexo Limited acknowledged breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by failing to ensure the safety of non-employees under their care.

A spokesperson for Sodexo stated that the organization wished to “extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Calum Inglis” following the formal court proceedings.

Lothian Health Board also entered a guilty plea regarding corporate failure to provide adequate clinical governance and medical response systems within the jail.

Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director of NHS Lothian, stated: “NHS Lothian conducted a review following his death to ensure that lessons were learned and to prevent a repeat of similar circumstances”.

What Happens Next in the Legal Proceedings?

The case called before Edinburgh Sheriff Court where Sheriff Senior Judge Alistair Noble formally recorded the guilty pleas from both corporate entities.

Sentencing considerations have been formally adjourned until December 2026, allowing the court to receive further background reports and submission details regarding statutory financial penalties.

The family has confirmed their intention to seek full participation in an upcoming Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) to establish individual accountability for operational staff involved.

Background of the Particular Development

HMP Addiewell is a maximum-security prison located in West Lothian, Scotland, operated by Sodexo Justice Services under a private finance initiative (PFI) contract awarded by the Scottish Prison Service. Since opening in 2008, healthcare within the facility has been managed through joint operational frameworks alongside NHS Lothian.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) established a dedicated Covid-19 Deaths Investigation Team (CDIT). The unit was tasked with investigating roughly 6,000 reported deaths across Scotland linked to coronavirus within institutional settings, including care homes, custodial facilities, and NHS hospitals.

Last year, the Lord Advocate instructed criminal prosecutions against Sodexo and NHS Lothian following a multi-year probe into institutional negligence. This marked a historic legal shift in holding private contractors and public health bodies criminally liable under statutory health and safety laws for pandemic-era custodial care.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Private Prison Operators and Healthcare Providers

The historic admission of criminal guilt by Sodexo Limited and NHS Lothian sets an immediate precedent across the UK penal and healthcare sectors. For private prison contractors, this outcome drastically elevates operational liabilities, likely forcing mandatory structural overhauls in emergency medical response protocols, cell intercom oversight, and inmate welfare checks.

Scottish Government ministers face escalating political pressure from campaign groups and legal representatives to re-evaluate or terminate long-term PFI prison management contracts. Financially, both private contractors and public health authorities may face substantial court fines, alongside heightened premiums for corporate liability insurance.

For public healthcare bodies managing prison wards, the verdict mandates strict clinical oversight standards that equalize in-cell treatment with national NHS public care metrics. Crucially, the landmark conviction establishes clear legal accountability for corporate entities responsible for individuals held under state detention.