The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Teens guilty of murdering their friend
T WO T E E NAG E R S have been found guilty of murdering their friend in a “vicious and sustained assault” involving a baseball bat.
Brett Lodge (17) was attacked following an argument at a party in the Liberton area of Edinburgh on July 1 last year and was repeatedly punched, kicked and hit.
The teenager suffered “catastrophic” head injuries and died in hospital eight days later.
At the High Court in Edinburgh, Declan Robertson (17) andAndrew Parf inowski ( 18) were convicted of his murder.
The p a i r, fr o m Edinburgh, were remanded in custody to return to court for sentencing on December 6.
A th i r d t e e n a g e r, Cameron McKail (17) was found guilty of assault. He was bailed and will also appear for sentencing next month.
In a statement released through police, Brett’s mother, Gillian Lodge, said her son’s death had devastated the family.
She said: “Brett was a happy boy with a cheeky sense of humour, who was kind, caring and did his best to help others and cheer people up.
“He spent a great deal of time with his family and was very popular with his friends.
“He was an active boy who loved sport and fitness, especially ice skating and he loved trying new things like rollercoasters and skiing, which he was lucky to do in the French Alps.” LEVEN-BASED East Fife Joinery helped BBC Children in Need as part of a special programme, DIY SOS: The Big Build, screened on BBC1 last night.
The programme featured the renovation of a centre for children with additional needs in Edinburgh.
TheYard helps children and young people from three to 25.
This year the centre celebrates 25 years of helping families deal with the demands of daily life, giving young people a space to develop confidence.
The Yard received a grant towards its costs from BBC Children in Need.
However, the building and its outdoor space were in desperate need of a total overhaul.
East Fife Joinery donated labour to BBC Children in Need to provide joinery works.
Murray and George Dunsire, the firm’s owners, along with Kevin O’Hara, Tom Watters, C a m e ro n Wi l l i a m s , and Fraser Lambert, described it as “the most fulfilling and humbling experience”.