Caroline Glachan: Three on trial over 1996 murder of schoolgirl

Three people have gone on trial accused of murdering Caroline Glachan

Three people have gone on trial accused of murdering a 14-year-old schoolgirl more than 27 years ago.

Caroline Glachan's body was found on the banks of the River Leven, near Place of Bonhill in Renton, West Dunbartonshire, on 25 August 1996.

Robert O'Brien, 45, Andrew Kelly and Donna Marie Brand, both 44, appeared at the High Court in Glasgow where all three denied the charges against them.

The trial is expected to last up to 15 days.

The jury heard they are accused of assaulting Caroline at the towpath of the River Leven, near to the Dillichip bridge - which no longer exists.

The charge sheet says they shouted and swore at her, punched and kicked her on the head and body, threw bricks or similar instruments at her and caused blunt force injuries to her head and body with instruments unknown to the prosecutor.

It alleges the three, acting with another person, caused Caroline to fall into the undergrowth rendering her unconscious and they pushed her into the river and murdered her.

Mr O'Brien is charged with previously assaulting Caroline in various places in West Dunbartonshire, while he and Ms Brand are both accused of previously evincing malice and ill will towards the schoolgirl.

'Frightened'

Her mother, Margaret McKeich, 67, was the first witness in the trial.

She told the court that she did not approve of her 14-year-old daughter's relationship with Mr O'Brien - who was around four years older.

And she claimed Caroline had told her Mr O'Brien - known as Robbie - had previously given her a slap.

"I did not approve of the relationship. I felt he was too old," she said.

Ms McKeich said she confronted Mr O'Brien.

"I was asking what was he playing at being with a 14-year-old girl and that he should stay away from her," she said.

The weekend Caroline went missing was Ms McKeich's 40th birthday and she and her now husband went to Glasgow to celebrate.

Caroline's body was found on the banks of the River Leven in August 1996

Ms McKeich said when she returned home Caroline was not there.

She sat up waiting and told the court she felt angry and upset that her daughter had stayed out so late.

"I thought she'll come in the morning as she would be frightened to come and face me," she added.

As more time went on she said she got more concerned and rang friends and family.

In the afternoon she received a phone call from police who said a body had been found and she went to a mortuary in Glasgow for the identification.

The jury was shown footage of Caroline's body being lifted from River Leven with the help of a police diving team.

The court heard she was found "face down" in a shallow part of the river.

Mr O'Brien, Mr Kelly and Ms Brand deny all the charges against them, claiming that they were elsewhere at the time of Caroline's death.