Social mediaThe family of a schoolgirl, who was allegedly murdered by her dad in Arbroath, has been “left with nothing” according to a close friend.
Minnie Merriman, from West Yorkshire, was found injured at Elliot Industrial Estate shortly before midnight on Sunday.
She was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, alongside three members of her family, where she was pronounced dead.
Christopher Rice, Minnie’s father, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court on Wednesday, where he faced a single charge of murder.
Close family friend, Stevie Walker, has set up a fundraiser to assist mum Laurie Merriman and Minnie’s two brothers as they go through “unimaginable heartbreak”.
He writes that the family have been “left with nothing” and have “lost their home” following the incident in Scotland.
He added: “Those of us who love Laurie can’t take away her pain. We can’t change what has happened and we can’t make any of this right. But we can come together and try to ease some of the practical pressures that no grieving family should have to think about at a time like this.
“That’s why I’m asking our friends, family and wider community to come together around Laurie and her boys.”
Rice made no plea during his appearance at court on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was remanded in custody and is due to appear before the court again within eight days.
‘I love you eternally’
The schoolgirl’s mum paid tribute to her daughter on Thursday.
She wrote: “You have always and will continue being my strength, we are connected eternally, I have never felt a love so deep and a connection so strong.
“My first true love, my twin, I am connected to you in life and in death, and my girl that cannot be broken, I will fight to stay strong for your little brothers.
“I will hold my head high, knowing you will always be holding my hand for the rest of my life. I will see you again, that I know for sure. I love you eternally.”
In another tribute, headteacher of Hendal Primary School in Wakefield, Kelly Ashton, described her as a “kind and thoughtful girl”.
Police ScotlandShe added: “She has belonged to our school community for four years and will be remembered as a caring and creative girl who was always seen with a big smile on her face. She will be deeply missed by us all.
“Our love and sympathies go out to everybody affected by this devastating loss and our priority now is supporting our pupils and staff.”
Minnie Merriman and her family were camping on a grassy area at Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath, ten minutes’ walk from the beach, on Sunday, August 2.
The family are from West Yorkshire, but it’s not known how long they had been in Scotland prior to the incident.
The patch of grass where their tent was pitched sits in front of the Halliburton manufacturing facility. It’s not clear why the family chose to camp there.
Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with Minnie’s death.
NHS Tayside investigate data breach
NHS Tayside has launched an investigation after staff allegedly inappropriately accessed the medical records of Minnie.
The health board is looking into reports that employees within a clinical area accessed the nine-year-old’s medical records, without permission or clinical need.
The alleged data breach could be reported and escalated to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said, “NHS Tayside is currently investigating the circumstances of an alleged data breach which happened in a working clinical area where staff access patient information.
“As a matter of governance, any data protection breach would be recorded and investigated by NHS Tayside and, where appropriate, reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
“It would not be appropriate for us to comment further on individual staffing matters.”
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