Mother accused of murdering her three children remanded in custody

A WOMAN charged with the murder of her three children was remanded in custody yesterday when she appeared in court in person for the first time.

An assessment order that had committed Theresa Riggi, 46, to hospital was revoked at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where a private hearing took place.

Eight-year-old twins Austin and Luke Riggi and their five-year-old sister Cecilia were found dead in a townhouse in Slateford Road, Edinburgh, on 4 August.

Their American mother faced the murder charges during a specially convened court hearing at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh last month. She had been receiving treatment at the hospital after she was discovered badly injured on the same day the children were found dead.

At that special court hearing, she made no plea or declaration and was fully committed to hospital under the assessment order.

Yesterday's hearing reviewed the assessment order and revoked it, and she was remanded in custody. It is understood she was taken to Cornton Vale women's prison yesterday.

A Crown Office spokesman said yesterday: "Theresa Riggi appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today for a review of the assessment order made on 24 August under section 52D of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995."

A requiem mass for the children took place at St Mary's Cathedral in Aberdeen on 20 August. It was followed by a private service at the city's crematorium.