Boy (13) denies murdering popular Hamilton foster mum Dawn McKenzie

Oct 27 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A 13-year-old boy has denied murdering popular Hamilton foster mum Dawn McKenzie.

The teenager – who can’t be named for legal reasons – is accused of striking the 34-year-old on the head and body with a knife.

It is alleged he attacked her at her home at 21 Deveron Crescent, Hamilton, on June 24 this year.

At the High Court in Glasgow last Friday, the boy’s lawyer entered a plea of not guilty and told the court she was satisfied he was “sane and fit to plead”.

Defence counsel Louise Arrol told the court: “I appear for the accused today. He pleads not guilty.

“The position is psychiatric and psychological reports have been instructed on his behalf, although I am satisfied that he is sane and fit to plead.”

Ms Arrol told the court that Donald Findlay QC would be senior counsel for the defence.

Judge Lord Brailsford fixed trial for January.

Tragic Dawn is survived by her 36-year-old husband Bryan, mother Rae, her father, sister Gail Findlay and brother Glen who were left shattered by her death.

Hundreds of friends, relatives and former colleagues at the time of her death paid tribute to Dawn on the social network site Facebook.

Sister Gail said: “Dawn I am so devastated. You were not only my wee sister, you were my best friend.”

Dawn worked for Glenburn Nursery in East Kilbride for 11 years but left them in November 2010 to become a foster carer.

Police launched an investigation after Dawn suffered fatal injuries after an alleged attack at her home in Deveron Crescent, Hamilton.

She was taken by ambulance to Hairmyres Hospital where she died a short time later.

Police later said that a 13-year-old boy had been arrested and was detained in police custody in connection with Dawn’s death.