A nine-year-old schoolgirl who died while camping with her family in Arbroath has been named as Minnie Merriman, as a 35-year-old man prepares to appear in court in connection with her death.
Minnie, from West Yorkshire, was found seriously injured on the grounds of Elliot Industrial Estate in the Angus town in the early hours of Monday 3 August. Emergency services were called at 12.02am after the child was discovered, and she died as a result of the injuries she had suffered. The nine-year-old was on a camping trip with her family when the incident happened.
A 35-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the girl's death. He is due to appear in court, where he will face proceedings relating to the death of Minnie Merriman. The man has not been publicly named, and no further details about the charge have been released. The arrest and charge followed an investigation by police officers into the circumstances of the incident.
Minnie's family have paid tribute to her, describing the young girl as «beautiful Minnie Moo». The tribute was issued after the schoolgirl was named, and a photograph of Minnie was released alongside the family's words. Her relatives are from West Yorkshire and had been camping in the Arbroath area at the time of her death.
Arbroath is a town in Angus on Scotland's east coast, and Elliot Industrial Estate is situated within the town. It was on the grounds of the estate that the child was found seriously injured in the early hours of the morning. Emergency crews responded to the scene shortly after midnight, and the girl subsequently died. The full circumstances surrounding her death have not been made public.
The man's appearance in court is expected to mark the next stage of the proceedings. Officers have carried out inquiries into what happened, and the legal process is now set to move forward. With the investigation continuing, further details may emerge in the coming days as the case is brought before a court.
Minnie was described in the tributes as a beloved child, with the nickname «Minnie Moo» reflecting the affection in which she was held. The family, who live in West Yorkshire, had travelled to Arbroath for the camping trip. The exact sequence of events leading to the discovery of the injured girl has not yet been disclosed.
Minnie, aged nine, was a schoolgirl from West Yorkshire. She had been camping in Arbroath with her family when she was found with serious injuries. The man charged in connection with her death remains due to appear in court.
