Home   News   Article

‘We want our son’s death certificate – in his real name’ - Dalneigh parents make plea for help from the Highlands


By Louise Glen

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

THE father and step-mum of a murdered Inverness man want his death certificate in the correct name.

Jimmy (74) and Sylvia (68) Robinson, of Dalneigh, say they have waited two years for the paperwork following the death of Steven Robinson (45), and are struggling to move on with their lives.

The couple believe the delay is due to the wrong name being on the official certificate for his death. And they believe that the authorities do not want to admit a mistake was made.

Because Steven was known to some as Steven Clark – his mother’s surname – they think the wrong name may have been used.

Mrs Robinson said: “A Glasgow man is serving a life sentence for Steven’s murder. He was killed by a friend over a £10 bag of tablets.”

She said: “Steven grew up in Merkinch and down the ferry and he has plenty of family in the area.

“Steven was stabbed 38 times before he was strangled. His loss is unbearable for his dad, and me. It was two days before the police came to tell us.

“Steven was with us two weeks before he died. My memory is of him smiling and happy.”

Steven was buried at Christmas 2019.

“We think that whoever registered his death must have known him as Clark – that was his mum’s name – but his legal name, his real name, was Steven Adrian Robinson,” Mrs Robinson said.

“His mum passed away a number of years ago. His brother is also dead, after an overdose. We have his birth certificate at home, and he never changed his name by deed poll or anything.

“We are faced with having the wrong name on the death certificate – it is too much for his dad.

“We just want to see a copy of the correct death certificate – because at the moment we have not seen it, and it is heartbreaking.”

A police spokesman said: “We routinely deploy family liaison officers to support relatives of a victim or victims during homicide investigations. These are highly trained and experienced officers who act as a link between the family and the investigation.

“They provide support to the family, update them on developments and can assist them with any matters that need to be dealt with by the family following a death.

“Officers can assist with such matters as registering a death if requested or required by the family. This is a decision based on the needs of the family and the individual circumstances. Our sympathies remain with Steven’s family and friends.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More