Amber Gibson's brother in court charged with murder and sexual assault

The brother of a teenage girl found dead in woodland has appeared in court charged with murder and sexual assault.

Amber Gibson was reported missing from Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, after failing to return home last Friday night.

The 16-year-old’s body was eventually discovered in the town’s Cadzow Glen park on Sunday morning.

Connor Gibson, 19, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday charged with murder and sexual assault under section two of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.

He was also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

He made no plea and was remanded in custody to appear again in the next eight days.

Hamilton: Flowers left in tribute to the teen. STV News

Amber’s death was initially treated as unexplained, but police later launched a murder inquiry following a post-mortem examination.

A police watchdog has been ordered to investigate Police Scotland’s handling of the case, understood to relate to the missing person investigation.

A spokesman said: “The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has instructed the police investigations and review commissioner to investigate the circumstances leading up to the death of a 16-year-old girl in Hamilton.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police Scotland will cooperate fully with the PIRC’s enquiries.”

Tributes have been made online to the teenager and flowers have also been left in the centre of Hamilton and at Cadzow Glen.