Murder accused from Kirriemuir makes bail bid

COURT: Tayside teenager instructs her solicitor to lodge an appeal against remand imposed by a sheriff after appearance at Forfar this week

A Tayside teenager accused of murder is to make a bid for release on bail.

Tasmin Glass, from Kirriemuir, has instructed her solicitor to lodge an appeal against remand imposed by a sheriff at Forfar this week after her appearance with two co-accused over the alleged murder of 27-year-old Arbroath oil worker Steven Donaldson.

Glass, 19, Callum Davidson and Steven Dickie, both 23 and also from Kirriemuir, were fully committed and remanded in custody after making a second appearance at Forfar Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

Mr Donaldson, 27, was found dead at the RSPB Loch of Kinnordy nature reserve near Kirriemuir in the early hours of Thursday June 7. Glass faced a single charge of murder. Davidson and Dickie also faced charges of breach of the peace, while Davidson faced an additional charge of assault. They made no plea to the charges during brief separate hearings before Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown.

Prosecutors allege Mr Donaldson was attacked with a heavy bladed weapon before he and his BMW car were set on fire.

Glass’s solicitor, Brian Bell, confirmed he had received instruction to lodge a bail appeal on his client’s behalf.

It is anticipated that will be heard at the Sheriff Appeal Court in Edinburgh early next week. No appeal has been lodged on behalf of Davidson or Dickie.

The trio were fully committed at the latest Forfar hearing, starting a legal process which requires an indictment to be served upon them within 80 days.

If they remain in custody, they must then be brought to trial within 140 days, although prosecutors can apply for a time bar extension. Following service of the indictment, a preliminary hearing will take place to consider the state of preparation in the case.

Meanwhile, a fundraising campaign to support the family of Mr Donaldson set up by one of his life-long friends has raised more than £1,500.

Fraser Evans, 30, a businessman in the town, said he had known Steven all his life and wanted to do something to help. He said: “So many people in Arbroath had been saying they wanted to do something to help and support his family. I thought if we could raise money for them then it would be something that people could get involved in.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/stevied.

Oil worker Steven Donaldson, who was found dead at Loch Kinnordy Nature Reserve in Kirriemuir on the morning of June 7.