Shocked community ‘will pull together’ for Alyson
“We will be praying for people concerned at our service,” he said.
And Paul Masterton, chairman of Ralston Community Council, said the community will do all it can to support Alyson’s family.
“On behalf of the community council, I want to express our deepest sympathies with Alyson’s family and friends, particularly her son, who is still fighting for his life.
“Ralston is a quiet area and I know that our close-knit community will pull together, providing the family and the authorities with all the assistance they need.”
Alyson’s partner of 18 months, Gary Brown, 54, a ScottishPower technician, was arrested in the Dumfries area on Saturday night, just hours after police released his photograph and appealed to the public to help find him.
A spokesman said: “Gary Brown has been traced and has been arrested in the Dumfries and Galloway area in connection with the death of a 52-year-old woman and the attempted murder of a 16-year-old male.
“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
Alyson, who worked for the Barnardo’s charity in Paisley, was well known by many in the area.
A tall, elegant figure, she was often seen with Tom waiting for the bus into Paisley at the stop outside St Mark’s Oldhall Church, on Glasgow Road.
Martin Crewe, director of Barnardo’s Scotland, paid tribute to his colleague.
He said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of our colleague Alyson Watt, who was a muchvalued and long-standing member of staff in Paisley.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy and we are continuing to support police with their inquiries.”
There was also shock among Ralston residents at the incident.
Stunned 19-year-old mechanic Calum Gillies knows Tom from school. “He was two years below me,” he said. “I know him just to say hello to.” Eighty-one-year old Anna McLachlan, a neighbour of Alyson and her son, added: “We are all deeply shocked and concerned.”
Renfrewshire Council runs Paisley Grammar, where Tom goes to school.
All a spokesman would say was: “We are aware that Police Scotland is investigating the incident.”