Man to face trial accused of sexually assaulting and murdering sister in Hamilton

A man is accused of sexually assaulting and murdering his teenage sister.

Connor Gibson allegedly killed Amber Niven, 16, at Cadzow Glen in Hamilton, Lanarkshire last November 26.

Prosecutors claim the 20 year-old removed Amber's clothes and repeatedly inflicted blunt force trauma to her head and body.

Gibson - who also uses the name Niven - is then said to have strangled the teenager with his hands.

It is claimed he did this with intent to rape Amber and did murder his sister.

Gibson faces further charges of attempting to defeat the ends of justice and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

This includes claims he got rid of clothes he had been wearing and that he called the children's home Amber was staying at to pretend she was still alive.

Gibson is also said to have told police he last saw his sister after she walked off from an argument near to a community centre in Hamilton on the day of the alleged killing.

Co-accused

Stephen Corrigan, 44, is a co-accused of Gibson.

He does not face the murder allegation, but is instead charged with breach of the peace and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

It is claimed Corrigan found Amber's body, but rather than alert police, he inappropriately touched her and then hid her remains under bushes and branches.

These charges span between November 26 and 28 2021.

The case called for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow today.

Gibson's KC Tony Graham said: "He pleads not guilty to the indictment.

"I estimate that this trial will endure for some 10 days.

"I am ready for a trial to be fixed."

Corrigan's lawyer Rhonda Anderson told the court he also denies the accusations he faces.

She added: "The defence has lodged a special defence of alibi."

Prosecutor Richard Goddard KC also asked for a trial to be set.

Lady Stacey then fixed a trial due to begin next July.

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