Three people on trial for 1996 murder of Caroline Glachan
The 14 year old's mother was the first witness to give evidence at the trial
Last updated 3rd Dec 2023
The mother of a murdered school girl has said in court she “did not approve” of the relationship her daughter had with one of her alleged killers.
Margaret McKeitch told jurors 14 year old Caroline Glachan had been “infatuated” with Robert O’Brien, who was around four years older.
She also claimed the teenager had told her O’Brien had previously “given her a slap”.
Mrs McKeitch was the first witness in the trial for her daughter’s murder, 27 years after I happened.
"Given her a slap"
Caroline went missing from home in late August 1996, and her body was later recovered from the River Leven between Renton and Bonhill in West Dunbartonshire.
O’Brien, 45, along with Andrew Kelly, 44 and Donna Marie Brand, 44, have appeared at the High Court in Glasgow accused of Caroline’s murder.
All three have pleaded guilty and lodged special defences of alibi.
The court heard that on various dates between June 1 1996 and August 25 1996, O'Brien, originally from Dumbarton, is alleged to have assaulted Ms Glachan at locations including Balloch Country Park, Renton, Vale of Leven and "elsewhere in Dunbartonshire".
Prosecutors claim the three accused arranged to meet Caroline on August 25 1996 at a bridge near the towpath beside the river Leven between Renton and Bonhill.
They are then alleged to have assaulted Ms Glachan, shouted and swore at her and repeatedly kicked and punched her on the head and body.
Mrs McKeitch made her views known "on more than one occasion"
It is claimed the trio threw bricks or "similar instruments" causing blunt force injuries to her head and body.
Prosecutors claim they pushed, or caused her to fall into the undergrowth, and into the river Leven.
Mrs McKeitch says she made her views known to her daughter “on more than one occasion”, including confronting O’Brien.
She said: “I was asking what was he playing at being with a 14 year-old girl and that he should stay away from her", to which he did not respond.
The trial, before judge Lord Braid, continues.