A sheriff has criticised the family of a vulnerable teenager who died after she was given the heroin substitute methadone.

Danielle Scott, 17, had extensive mental health and behavioural problems from an early age.

She was in the care of Howdenhall Young Persons' Unit in Edinburgh at the time of her death, but had absconded from the unit when she took the drug in February 2005.

Peter Meaney was later jailed for culpable homicide after admitting giving the Glasgow teenager alcohol and methadone.

Following a long-running fatal accident inquiry into her death, Sheriff John Horsburgh said on Thursday that members of Ms Scott's family "encouraged her to think she was mentally ill" and became over-involved in her treatment, to the extent of hindering plans for her care.

He said her father was "eager to blame" other people, was "very aggressive" at meetings.

The sheriff, who presided over the inquiry at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, also said he regarded the 17-year-old's mother as an "unreliable witness" at times.

Sheriff Horsburgh went on to criticise two retired consultants who gave evidence to the inquiry, saying they were inclined to place too much significance on Ms Scott's reported statements and on the family history "without critical examination".

In a his written determination, Sheriff Horsburgh said that the care the teenager received from the various doctors she encountered was "entirely appropriate".

He said: "Nothing arises in this aspect of the case that would have caused me to conclude that there were any reasonable steps in the medical area which could have been taken whereby Danielle's death might have been avoided."

Sheriff Horsburgh's 11-page opinion followed an inquiry lasting 42 days, in which he heard evidence from a number of witnesses, including Ms Scott's father James and mother Lorraine.

Her mother sought a ruling that the death might have been avoided by the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder and Miss Scott's return to secure accommodation.

In his decision, Sheriff Horsburgh said that records and evidence from witnesses showed that Ms Scott's treatment was subject to criticism by members of her family "at almost every stage".

The inquiry found that Ms Scott's death was due to acute methadone and alcohol poisoning.