Teenager dies after incident at party

A TEENAGER who was left in a coma after an alleged attack at house party has died.

Brett Lodge was declared dead at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in the early hours of yesterday morning after suffering severe head injuries during a party in the southside suburb of Liberton on Friday, 1 July.

The 17-year-old was rushed to hospital and had to undergo emergency brain surgery after being hit by a baseball bat on Claverhouse Drive.

Neighbours reported a mass disturbance involving up to 30 people on the lawn of the house around 9pm.

Lodge's mother, Gillian Lodge, who had been by his bedside since he was rushed to hospital, said in a statement. She said: "Brett was my eldest son, and his death has been devastating to our family. He was a loving brother, son and grandson. He was a happy and confident young man who loved life, and was kind, caring and generous.

"Brett was the type of person who would help anybody if he could."

Declan Robertson, Andrew Parfinowski and Cameron McKail, all 16, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last week, along with a 15-year-old boy who cannot be named because he is under 16, charged with attempted murder. They made no plea or declaration and were released on bail. A post mortem is expected to take place next week.