Brother and sister deaths: man is charged

Published on Monday 5 May 2008 21:57

A 49-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with the murders of disabled woman Michelle Thomson and her brother Ryan, police said last night.

Police investigators discuss the case in Fife.

Ms Thomson, 25, and Ryan, seven, were found at their father's home in Buckhaven in Fife on Saturday.

Robert Thomson, 49, appeared before Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court today on murder charges. He made no plea or declaration.

Detective Superintendent Alastair McKeen, head of CID at Fife Constabulary, did not disclose details of the injuries suffered by victims.

He said that police had received a "handful" of calls since an appeal for information was issued yesterday, and said they had yielded "very positive" information.

The victims' elder brother, Shaun, travelled back to Fife from his home in Essex as soon as he heard about the tragedy.

Officers were yesterday continuing to build up a "general picture" of Michelle and Ryan's movements on Saturday before they were discovered dead.

A family friend, who did not want to be named, said: "The wee lad Ryan only just had a leaving party at his primary school on Friday. We just can't believe what's happened."

She added: "Ryan and Michelle's other brother, Ross, stayed with me over the weekend, but he hasn't said a word about what happened. He is still in shock."

Floral tributes have been left outside the detached home where the victims were found.

Messages read simply: "Sleep in peace forever" and "God bless".