Theft of charity defibrillator branded 'abhorrent'

Keiran's Legacy has donated dozens of defibrillators

The theft of a life-saving charity defibrillator from a Moray town has been branded "abhorrent".

The equipment was taken from outside a butcher's shop in Buckie's West Church Street overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.

The defibrillator was put in place by Keiran's Legacy, a charity set up in honour of Keiran McKandie, from Elgin. The 16-year-old cyclist was killed in a car crash in 2016.

Sgt Graeme Allan, of Police Scotland, appealed for information, and said: "This is an abhorrent crime of an item that could possibly be used to save a person's life."

Keiran died at the scene of the crash on the B9010 Forres to Kellas Road.

Police officers who were first to arrive had no life-saving equipment.

Keiran's parents Sandra and Gordon set up Keiran's Legacy and have since fundraised to buy scores of defibrillators.

The equipment gives a high-energy electric shock to the heart of someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest to restore the heart's normal rhythm.

As well as donating defibrillators to community groups, many have also been given to road policing units.