Man charged with murder of Danielle

Published on 14/01/2003 00:00

A MAN was yesterday charged with the murder of Danielle Reid, whose body was found in a canal last week.

Lee Gaytor, 26, the boyfriend of Danielle’s mother, Tracey, appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court. He made no plea or declaration and was committed for further examination.

Gaytor, of Argyle Street, Inverness, was remanded in custody by Sheriff Kenneth Forbes and is expected to appear in court again later this week.

The body of Danielle, five, was found by police divers in the Caledonian Canal in Inverness a week ago, after a major search operation. She was reported missing on Hogmanay by a relative who had not seen her for three months.

Gaytor, his brother, Christopher, 22, and Tracey Reid, 24, subsequently appeared in court charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice in connection with her disappearance. All three are expected to appear again this week on this charge.

Last week, Lee Gaytor was treated in hospital for injuries to his wrists after what is believed to have been a suicide attempt in prison.

Arthur McCourt, the chief executive of Highland Council, has called for the Highland child protection committee to set up an independent inquiry into events surrounding Danielle’s disappearance and death.