The mother of a teenager murdered in 1996 said justice has been done, but she will always feel the “void” left by her daughter’s death as one of her killers was jailed for at least 17 years.

Donna Marie Brand, 44, was found guilty in December at the High Court in Glasgow alongside Robert O’Brien, 45, and Andrew Kelly, 44, of killing O’Brien’s 14-year-old girlfriend Caroline Glachan in August that year.

During ten days of evidence, the jury heard the trio had arranged to meet Caroline at a bridge near the towpath beside the River Leven, between Renton and Bonhill in West Dunbartonshire, on August 25 1996.

Caroline Glachan, who was murdered 27 years ago. Picture: Family handout/PA Wire

Caroline was repeatedly punched and kicked, and had bricks or similar items thrown at her, causing blunt force trauma to her head and body. She was pushed or fell into undergrowth and her body was discovered in the river at Place of Bonhill, Renton, later the same day, which was her mother’s 40th birthday.

Brand was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years when she was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday. O’Brien and Kelly were sentenced to life at the same court in January, with O’Brien ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars and Kelly handed a minimum of 18 years.

Speaking outside the court on Monday, Caroline’s mother Margaret McKeich said she was “pleased” at the sentence.

Caroline Glachan: Woman who murdered Scottish schoolgirl jailed for at least 17 years