Caroline Glachan: Friend advised schoolgirl not to meet man

The best friend of a schoolgirl found dead in a river 27 years ago had tried to persuade her not to meet a man hours before her death, a court heard.

Joanne Menzies said she had arranged a sleepover with Caroline Glachan on Saturday 24 August, 1996.

The 14-year-old was instead said to have gone to see Robert O'Brien, who was 18 at the time, and planned to be back before her mother got home.

She was found dead in the River Leven the following afternoon.

Mr O'Brien, now 45, Andrew Kelly and Donna Marie Brand, both 44, deny murder.

Forensic pathologist Dr Marjorie Turner earlier told the trial in Glasgow Caroline had sustained at least 10 blows to her head before her death in Renton, West Dunbartonshire.

Ms Menzies said Caroline left her in the company of two boys to meet Mr O'Brien, known as Robbie.

Caroline was due to be home before her mother, Margaret McKeich.

Ms Menzies said Caroline had been seeing Robert O'Brien for about three months by the time she died.

She said Caroline was "very impressionable" and that she thought she was "a bit infatuated with him".

Ms Menzies told the court that she thought the relationship was violent and that she had stopped Mr O'Brien from attacking Caroline on numerous occasions.

She said Caroline had been happy and cheerful when she met her at about 22:00 on 24 August.

Caroline had asked her to walk with her to meet Mr O'Brien at the Black Bridge at the River Leven, but Ms Menzies said she did not want to go.

She added: "I never liked Robert."

Earlier, Daniel Mullen recalled he had been alerted to the body by another man while cycling nearby the following day.

Mr Mullen said he noticed trainers on the riverbank because they were brand new.

When he held them up, another man said: "Caroline Glachan has a pair the exact same."

Dr Turner told the jury Caroline suffered extensive injuries to her scalp, face and neck sustained from blunt force trauma.

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.

The charge sheet says they and Kelly also 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.

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.

The trio claim they were elsewhere at the time of Caroline's death.

The trial continues before Lord Braid.