Family 'overwhelmed' after minute's silence held in memory of Minnie Merriman

The family of an allegedly murdered schoolgirl were “overwhelmed” after a minute’s silence was held in her memory by Arbroath FC.

Minnie Merriman, nine, from West Yorkshire, was found injured at Elliot Industrial Estate shortly before midnight last Sunday.

She was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, alongside three members of her family, where she was pronounced dead.

Christopher Rice, Minnie’s father, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court on Wednesday, where he faced a single charge of murder.

The Championship side based in the town held a minute’s silence in her memory before their match against Inverness.

More than 1,300 people attended the game on Saturday.

Minnie Merriman was on holiday with her family in Scotland Social media

Minnie’s aunt, Chloe Merriman, wrote on social media that the support shown by the club and the ton has left the family “overwhelmed”.

She said: “We really appreciate this as a family my sister Laurie is overwhelmed with the kindness and love from Arbroath”

Rice made no plea during his appearance at court on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was remanded in custody and is due to appear before the court again within eight days.

‘I love you eternally’

Laurie Merriman, the schoolgirl’s mum, paid tribute to her daughter on Thursday.

She wrote: “You have always and will continue being my strength, we are connected eternally, I have never felt a love so deep and a connection so strong.

“My first true love, my twin, I am connected to you in life and in death, and my girl that cannot be broken, I will fight to stay strong for your little brothers.

“I will hold my head high, knowing you will always be holding my hand for the rest of my life. I will see you again, that I know for sure. I love you eternally.”

In another tribute, headteacher of Hendal Primary School in Wakefield, Kelly Ashton, described her as a “kind and thoughtful girl”.

North East & Tayside

Family of schoolgirl allegedly murdered by dad ‘left with nothing’ amid ‘unimaginable heartbreak’

Minnie Merriman, from West Yorkshire, was found injured at Elliot Industrial Estate shortly before midnight on Sunday.

She added: “She has belonged to our school community for four years and will be remembered as a caring and creative girl who was always seen with a big smile on her face. She will be deeply missed by us all.

“Our love and sympathies go out to everybody affected by this devastating loss and our priority now is supporting our pupils and staff.”

Minnie Merriman and her family were camping on a grassy area at Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath, ten minutes’ walk from the beach, on Sunday, August 2.

The family are from West Yorkshire, but it’s not known how long they had been in Scotland prior to the incident.

The patch of grass where their tent was pitched sits in front of the Halliburton manufacturing facility. It’s not clear why the family chose to camp there.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with Minnie’s death.

NHS Tayside investigate data breach

NHS Tayside has launched an investigation after staff allegedly inappropriately accessed the medical records of Minnie.

The health board is looking into reports that employees within a clinical area accessed the nine-year-old’s medical records, without permission or clinical need.

The alleged data breach could be reported and escalated to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said, “NHS Tayside is currently investigating the circumstances of an alleged data breach which happened in a working clinical area where staff access patient information.

“As a matter of governance, any data protection breach would be recorded and investigated by NHS Tayside and, where appropriate, reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

“It would not be appropriate for us to comment further on individual staffing matters.”