LATEST UPDATE: DAD ACCUSED OF MUR-DERING 9-YEAR-OLD MINNIE MERRIMAN APPEARS IN COURT AGAIN AS QUESTIONS GROW OVER THE SCHOOLGIRL’S FINAL HOURS
A DAD charged with murdering nine-year-old schoolgirl Minnie Merriman in Arbroath has appeared in court for a second time.
Christopher Rice, 35, is alleged to have killed his daughter, who was found seriously injured at an industrial estate in the town on August 3.
Tragic schoolgirl Minnie Merriman, 9, was allegedly murdered by her dad in ArbroathCredit: Police Scotland
Christopher Rice was charged with Minnie’s death and is set to appear in court againCredit: Andrew Barr
He was charged in connection with her alleged murder and initially appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court last week.
Rice, from West Yorkshire, was led into the court in cuffs by officers on August 5.
He made no plea and was remanded in custody.
He returned to the same dock today, August 13, for a private hearing.
He did not enter a plea and was fully committed and remanded in custody.
The date of his next court appearance is yet to be confirmed.
Minnie had been on a family camping trip when she was found fatally injured shortly after midnight on August 3.
Emergency services raced to the Elliot Industrial Estate after the alarm was raised and the youngster was rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where she later died.
We previously reported how Minnie was discovered after the family’s camping trip led them to pitch a tent within the estate.
Witnesses told of their surprise at the family’s makeshift campsite, less than a mile from the seafront, after they were seen cooking on an outdoor stove just hours before Minnie was found injured.
Minnie was rushed to hospital along with three other patients before she died.
In a tribute following her death Minnie’s devastated family described her as their “beautiful and brave Minnie Moo”.
Minnie’s heartbroken mum Laurie Eve Merriman left a devastating tribute at the scene in the days that followed, saying she will be “eternally connected” to her daughter.
A note from the mum read: “To my darling Minnie Moo.
“Wherever you are, we’re still connected eternally.
“I love you my girl.
“Mammy will carry your strength always.”
SOURCE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/40045580/dad-charged-murder-daughter-minnie-merriman-arbroath/
