‘Depraved’ trio GUILTY of murdering schoolgirl Caroline Glachan, 14, whose body was found in river 27 years ago
A 'DEPRAVED' trio have been found GUILTY of luring a Scots schoolgirl to a river and murdering her almost 30 years ago.
Robert O'Brien, 45, Andrew Kelly, 44, and Donna Marie Brand, 44, have been convicted of killing 14-year-old Caroline Glachan at the River Leven in West Dunbartonshire on August 25, 1996.
A two-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow heard 10 days of evidence from various witnesses including friends of 14-year-old Caroline.
Prosecutors said the three accused arranged to meet the teenager at a bridge near a towpath beside the river between Renton and Bonhill.
They then brutally attacked the 14-year-old, shouted and swore at her and repeatedly kicked and punched her on the head and body.
The trio threw bricks or "similar instruments" causing blunt force injuries to her head and body, before pushing or causing her to fall into the river, and ultimately murdering her.
The jury retired to begin its deliberations on Tuesday and returned unanimous guilty verdicts for all three on Thursday afternoon.
The trial has earlier heard how O'Brien had been in a relationship with Caroline at the time. He was around four years older.
Her murder had remained unsolved until cold case detectives reopened a probe and charged the three suspects in 2021.
Judge Lord Braid said: “You have all been found guilty of the brutal, depraved and, above all, wicked murder.”
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Outside court, DI Stuart Grainger said: "In 1996, Caroline Glachan was murdered. Today, 27 years later, her killers have been convicted.
"Justice has been served for Caroline but at the heart of this is a mother, father and extended family.
"Caroline’s family and friends had to endure years of not knowing who killed her.
"Their lives changed forever that day when Caroline was murdered. They were robbed of having a future with her and seeing her grow into a young woman.
"In 2019, we launched the re-investigation and examined pieces of evidence. We took over 200 statements which uncovered the new evidence.
"Through conventional policing methods we built up the picture of evidence, discredited the accused and ultimately this had led to their convictions.
"Nothing will bring Caroline back for her family and friends but I hope seeing those responsible for killing her will ease them and give them some comfort."
Timeline of events
25 August 1996 - Caroline is found dead with major head injuries on the edge of the River Leven, Dunbartonshire.
December 1996 - Case features on Crimewatch with E-fit of potential witness issued.
February 1997 - Caroline’s funeral held, six months after her murder.
August 1997 - Cops launch fresh appeal for information one year on.
January 2000 - On what would have been Caroline’s 18th birthday, no one has been arrested over her murder.
November 2005 - Caroline’s mum Margaret McKeitch makes new plea on STV crime show Unsolved.
August 2006 - Margaret makes fresh appeal for info on 10th anniversary of her daughter’s death.
August 2016 - Police launch another plea to mark 20th anniversary of Caroline’s murder.
September 2016 - Crimewatch appeal aired on TV. A £10,000 reward is offered by Crimestoppers.
August 2017 - Another police appeal made on 21st anniversary of Caroline’s murder.
November 2021 - O’Brien, Kelly and Brand charged with Caroline’s murder. Her mum Margaret says cops “couldn’t have given me a better Christmas”.
December 2023 - O’Brien, Kelly and Brand convicted of Caroline’s murder.
This is a breaking story, more to follow.
