Minnie Merriman mum pays tribute to daughter as dad charged with murder

The mum of a nine-year-old girl who died following an incident in Arbroath has paid tribute to her “first true love”.

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

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

Minnie Merriman died following an incident in Arbroath. Police Scotland

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

The schoolgirl’s mum, Laurie Merriman, has paid tribute to her daughter who she described as her “twin”.

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.”

Rice made no plea during an appearance at Forfar Sheriff 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.

What do we know?

Police were called to the Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath STV News

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.

The Scottish Ambulance Service were called at 11.53pm on Sunday.

Four ambulances were sent to the scene, and paramedics took Minnie and three members of her family to hospital.

Police were called at around 12.02am on Monday, less than ten minutes after the ambulance service.

Officers were told a nine-year-old girl was found with serious injuries.

STV News understands that police took Rice to hospital. They arrested him and held him in custody after he was discharged.

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