Caroline Glachan: Three found guilty of murdering Bonhill teen

A jury at the High Court in Glasgow has found Robert O'Brien, Andrew Kelly and Donna Brand guilty of murdering the 14 year old in 1996

The schoolgirl's body was pulled from the River Leven in August 1996

Author: Alice FaulknerPublished 14th Dec 2023
Last updated 14th Dec 2023

Three people have been found guilty of murdering Caroline Glachan on the banks of the River Leven more than 25 years ago.

Today, a jury has found Robert O'Brien, 45, Andrew Kelly and Donna Brand, both 44, guilty of murdering the girl, by attacking her with an unknown weapon and leaving her in the water to drown.

They were accused of acting together to murder Caroline, but all three denied the charges with the special defence of an alibi.

The trio claimed to have been babysitting at a friends house at the time of the murder.

Detective Inspector Stuart Grainger added: “At the heart of this is a mother, a father, extended family and friends who have had to endure years of not knowing who killed Caroline.

"Their lives changed forever the day Caroline was murdered, they were robbed of having a future with her, watching her grow from a young girl to a young woman. Her future was robbed the night she met Robbie, Donna and Andrew

“For years this community has lived under a dark cloud, wondering if Caroline's killers walked among them. Nothing will bring Caroline back or lessen the heartache, her family and friends live with, but I hope that seeing those responsible paying for their crime offers them some level of comfort."

On the evening of Saturday 24 August 1996, Caroline's mother Margaret McKeitch went out to celebrate her 40th birthday in Glasgow, leaving her 14-year-old daughter with friends.

She did not know that would be the last time she would see her daughter alive.

The following morning, Caroline's body was discovered face down in a shallow part of the river, having been severely assaulted.

A day they did not think they would see

Outside court, Caroline's emotional mum, Margaret McKeich, said: "This is a day we never thought we would see.

"I cannot sum up how I am feeling.

"It will not bring her back, but at least we know who is responsible and will be serving time for this.

"Caroline lost her life while they have had their Christmases and birthdays.

"My Caroline was in the ground. This is a great day."

Background

The Crown argued at a towpath of the River Leven between Renton and Bonhill in West Dunbartonshire, the trio arranged to meet the teenager at a nearby bridge.

The murder charge states Caroline was assaulted by being repeatedly punched and kicked on the head and body.

The three - who would also have been teenagers at the time - are further said to have thrown bricks or similar items causing blunt-force injuries to Caroline.

Caroline is said to have left her best friend, Joanne Menzies, to go and meet her boyfriend at a bridge leading to Renton with a promise to be back home before her mother returned.

The trial heard how Margaret did not approve of her daughter's "infatuation" with Robbie O'Brien, who was a few years older.

The jury was told that Robbie had been seeing Caroline and the co-accused, Donna Brand, at the same time.

The pair, along with Andrew Kelly and his then-girlfriend Sarah Jane O'Neil claimed they were babysitting for a friend named Betty Wilson and said they did not leave that property the night of Caroline's death.

However upstairs neighbours of Betty Wilson came forward to say they saw the four leaving with the 5-year-old they were babysitting.

The toddler later spoke to his mother about being at the River Leven with the accused, and watching Robbie assault Caroline.

Police Scotland said Sarah Jane O'Neil would've been among the accused, but she died in a drug-related incident.

The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts for all three this afternoon.

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.