Man, 44, 'inappropriately touched' murder victim, 16, in Hamilton

Man, 44, ‘inappropriately touched’ murder victim, 16, and hid her remains under a bush after she was strangled to death by her brother

• Stephen Corrigan found body of Amber Gibson in Hamilton, Scotland
• Is claimed he inappropriately touched her and then hid remains bushes 
• Co-accused Connor Gibson faces charge of murdering Ms Gibson, his sister 

A man who is set to stand trial accused of inappropriately touching a dead girl has been granted bail.

Stephen Corrigan, 44, allegedly committed breach of the peace and attempting to defeat the ends of justice between November 26 and 28, 2021, at Cadzow Glen, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

It is claimed Corrigan found the body of 16-year-old Amber Gibson, but rather than alert police, he inappropriately touched her and then hid her remains under bushes and branches.

Co-accused Connor Gibson faces charge of murdering Ms Gibson, his sister, on November 26, 2021.

A man who is set to stand trial accused of inappropriately touching a dead girl was granted bail today. It is claimed Corrigan found Amber Gibson’s body in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, but rather than alert police, he inappropriately touched her and then hid her remains under bushes and branches. Above: Ms Gibson

Prosecutors claim the 20-year-old removed Ms Gibson’s clothes and repeatedly inflicted blunt force trauma to her head and body.

Gibson – who also uses the name Niven – is then said to have strangled the teenager with his hands. It is claimed he did this with intent to rape Ms Gibson.

Gibson faces further charges of attempting to defeat the ends of justice and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

This includes claims he got rid of clothes he had been wearing and that he called the children’s home Ms Gibson was staying at to pretend she was still alive.

Gibson is also said to have told police he last saw his sister after she walked off from an argument near to a community centre in Hamilton on the day of the alleged killing.

Corrigan – who appeared from custody – requested bail at a hearing today at the High Court in Glasgow.

His lawyer Rhonda Anderson told the court that there has been a ‘material change of circumstances’ since an earlier bail hearing last year.

Co-accused Connor Gibson faces a murder charge against sister Amber from November 26, 2021

She stated that this is in relation to the behaviour a 16-year-old boy who is familiar with Corrigan who is staying with an elderly man.

Miss Anderson: ‘The boy listens to Mr Corrigan and to his direction.

‘The difficulty is he has problems with his development and has ADHD.

‘The absence of Mr Corrigan makes it difficult for him.

‘The situation would be relieved if Mr Corrigan was released which is the opinion of a professional.’

‘The man the boy is staying with is struggling with him and has failing health.

‘He says the boy has respect for Mr Corrigan who can discipline him better.

Corrigan – who appeared from custody – requested bail at a hearing today at the High Court in Glasgow. Above: Ms Gibson

A police scene at Cadzow Glen park in Hamilton where the body of Amber Gibson was discovered

‘The man believes if Mr Corrigan was about then the boy’s behaviour can be manageable.’

Prosecutor Kath Harper stated that Corrigan has had ‘patchy’ contact with the boy since 2008.

She added that she had read that the boy’s behaviour ‘falls in line with his age.’

Judge Lord Scott granted Corrigan bail to an address close to where the elderly man lives who will remain his primary carer.

The judge said: ‘I don’t know what motivates you to see the boy.

‘The man looking after the needs help with him and if it wasn’t for that you would not be getting bail now.

‘If you breach your bail; you will be remanded in custody after being arrested very quickly.’

A bail curfew was granted ordering Corrigan to stay indoors between 7pm and 7am.

A trial for Corrigan will take place in July.

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