Uni student, 18, accused of murdering farm worker boyfriend

A UNIVERSITY student has appeared in court accused of murdering her boyfriend by driving over him.

Grace Ross, 18, is said to have murdered Joshua Kerr, also 18, in an alleged incident at Little Balquhomrie Farm – Mr Kerr’s place of work – near Leslie, Fife, on Friday morning.

Mr Kerr, pictured, and Ross had lived together at an address in Glenrothes, Fife, for two years before the incident.

Ross appeared in private to face a single charge on petition at Falkirk Sheriff Court yesterday.

The charge alleges she ‘did drive a motor vehicle in the direction of Joshua Kerr, causing the vehicle to strike him, whereby he fell to the ground and the vehicle drove over his head and body to his severe injury and danger of life’. It adds: ‘And you did murder him.’

Ross, a former student at Abertay University who is due to start a course at the University of Dundee in September, made no plea at the hearing, which lasted little more than five minutes.

Prosecutor Katie Cunningham did not seek to remand her in custody.

Sheriff Alastair Brown committed Ross for further examination and released her on bail.

She will appear in court again at a date to be confirmed.

Mr Kerr’s parents, Angela Kerr and Jamie Simpson, said: ‘His mum, dad, little brother and anyone that ever knew Josh will never forget him. He was the perfect person, we will forever love him.’

Mr Kerr’s grandmother, Debbie Kerr, thanked friends who had paid tribute and said a memorial celebration was being planned for the teenager.

She added: ‘He was a kind, loving grandson and person.’

A spokesman for Raith Rovers Football Club, where Mr Kerr was a season ticket holder and helped in hospitality, said everyone at the club had been devastated to learn of the tragedy.