A woman who was one of three people convicted of murdering a teenage girl more than 27 years ago has been jailed for at least 17 years.

Donna Marie Brand, 44, was found guilty in December at the High Court in Glasgow alongside Robert O’Brien, 45 and Andrew Kelly, of killing O’Brien’s 14-year-old girlfriend Caroline Glachan in August 1996.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: Donna Marie BrandDonna Marie Brand (Image: Archive)During 10 days of evidence, the jury heard the trio had arranged to meet Caroline at a bridge near the towpath beside the River Leven, between Renton and Bonhill in West Dunbartonshire, on August 25 that year.

Caroline was repeatedly punched and kicked, and had bricks or similar items thrown at her, causing blunt force trauma to her head and body.

She was pushed or fell into undergrowth and her body was discovered in the river at Place of Bonhill, Renton, later the same day, which was her mother’s 40th birthday.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: CarolineCaroline (Image: Police Scotland)Brand was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years when she appeared for sentencing on Monday.

O’Brien and Kelly were sentenced to life terms in January, with O’Brien ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars and Kelly a minimum of 18 years.

Brand could not attend court for sentencing in January because she was in hospital, and on Monday she appeared for sentencing by videolink.

Sentencing Brand, the judge said she played no active part in the assault but shares responsibility because she left Caroline in the river.

When sentencing the two men in January, judge Lord Braid described the murder as “brutal, depraved and above all wicked”.

He said O’Brien was the main perpetrator and used “extreme violence” on Caroline.

The judge said while Kelly played a lesser role, he was also involved in inflicting “murderous violence” on the teenager.

During the trial, forensic pathologist Dr Marjorie Turner told the court the 14-year-old was still alive when she went into the water and the ultimate cause of death was drowning.

Caroline’s mother Margaret McKeich told jurors her daughter was “infatuated” with O’Brien but she did not approve of the relationship because he was a few years older.

Mrs McKeich said her daughter had previously disclosed that O’Brien had “lifted his hands to her”.