Three accused guilty of murdering 14-year-old Caroline Glachan
After 27 years, the killers of 14-year-old Caroline Glachan have been convicted.
In August 1996, Caroline Glachan and her friend were walking near local shops in Bonhill. Caroline never made it home and her body was found on the water’s edge of the River Leven on Sunday, 25 August, 1996.
Robbie O’Brien, Andrew Kelly and Donna Brand violently attacked and murdered Caroline in August 1996. Today, they have been found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow.
Following a reinvestigation in 2019, officers from the Major Investigations Team worked diligently to piece together what happened. Officers re-examined and researched all statements and documentation from the original inquiry.
More than 200 statements were taken from people who had not previously provided a statement to police. From this, officers built up a picture of evidence which discredited the alibi of the accused and ultimately led to these convictions.
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."
Officers who re-investigated this case, had no forensics or technology to rely on or assist them from the time of the murder. It was down to traditional policing techniques, to the dedication of officers working diligently to build that picture of evidence and fully understand the events of that fateful night. That evidence resulted in the case being presented in a court of law.
For Caroline’s family, friends, and the community of Bonhill justice has been served today.
