Police told to reinvestigate man’s death after suspected Grindr blackmail
Scott Gough (Facebook/scott.gough.142)
Police have been told to reopen the investigation into the death of 56-year-old Scott Gough, who died in March 2024, the day after a group of men arrived at his home demanding his car keys.
A Professional Standards Department report, obtained by the BBC, found failures in how Hertfordshire Police handled the case, including the decision to treat Gough’s passing as a sudden death rather than investigating it as criminal blackmail, despite links to other cases of suspected blackmail involving victims targeted on Grindr.
According to the BBC, there were multiple cases of suspected blackmail via Grindr in Gough’s local area. At least four were linked to the same group of people, who are still at large.
READ MORE: Duo jailed for using Grindr to carry out ‘callous’ burglaries
The report concluded there were reasonable grounds to suspect Gough may have been a victim of blackmail and recommended a reinvestigation by an independent officer or force.
Gough’s partner, Cameron Tewson, criticised police for dismissing concerns of homophobia, and the Professional Standards Department report found that delays in dealing with Tewson’s complaints were unacceptable.
However the accusation of homophobia was not upheld after officers told investigators they were “absolutely not” homophobic, adding that the claim was “deeply offensive”. One claimed Tewson had a “personal vendetta” against them.
Hertfordshire Police told the BBC: “The investigating officer leading the reinvestigation did not identify discrimination or homophobia within the investigation.”
They added that they were in discussions over whether an independent department or officer from another force would conduct the review and any reinvestigation that may follow.
The force said they have “dedicated LGBTQ+ liaison officers, whose role is vital in providing tailored support to victims from the LGBTQ+ community, addressing specific needs, building their trust, and helping break down barriers that prevent people reporting incidents or seeking police assistance”.
Adding: “We are also dedicated to delivering learning to ensure that officers understand specific issues faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community.”
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