By Democrat reporter
Three people have gone on trial accused of murdering a 14-year-old schoolgirl more than 27 years ago.
Caroline Glachan’s body was found on the banks of the River Leven, near Place of Bonhill in Renton, West Dunbartonshire, on 25 August 1996.
Robert O’Brien, 45, Andrew Kelly and Donna Marie Brand, both 44, appeared at the High Court in Glasgow where all three denied the charges against them.
The trial is expected to last up to 15 days.
The jury heard they are accused of assaulting Caroline at the towpath of the River Leven, near to the Dillichip bridge – which no longer exists.
The charge sheet says they 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 to the prosecutor.
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.
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 accused deny all the charges against them, claiming that they were elsewhere at the time that the crown alleges Caroline was murdered.