Beattock man faces murder charge

Aug 15 2008 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with murder after a body was discovered in Beattock.

Steven Herdsman of Smiths Way in the village appeared in private at Dumfries Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

He is accused of stabbing Kris Kendrick and murdering him.

Depute procurator fiscal Joe Macpherson said that no plea or declaration was made and the case was continued.

Herdsman was remanded in custody.

Mr Kendrick, who had just turned 20, was found dead in a house at Craigielands Park on Tuesday night.

Emergency services arrived at the scene around 7.15pm and murder squad detectives sealed off the area while investigations were carried out into the death.

Mr Kendrick, a car valet worker, lived with his mother, Susan, at Craigielands Park.

Yesterday, his sister Gail paid an emotional tribute to her “great friend”.

She said: “On behalf of my mum, brother Ryan and myself, I would like to thank family and friends for their support at this sad time in our lives, and as a family we would like to be left alone to grieve for the loss of a son, a brother and a great friend.”

The death has sent shockwaves through the quiet village.

Local councillor, Ted Brown, said: “It is very disturbing for a community like Beattock that such an horrible incident like this should occur.

“It is very distressing to hear about this and will be very upsetting for everyone in the community.”

Door-to-door inquiries were carried out in the local area while an incident room was set up in Dumfries to deal with the intensive investigation.

Extra police resources were allocated to the case and officers moved quickly to quell any fears from members of the public over the incident.

Inspector Alan Cook of Lockerbie Police said: “At around 7.15pm, police and ambulance crews were called to an incident at a house in Craigielands Park in Beattock.

“On arrival, we found that one 20-year-old local male had sustained fatal injuries.

“After that, a second local male was detained by police.

“This is a tragic incident, particularly for the families concerned.

“Police would like to reassure the community that incidents of this magnitude are extremely rare in Dumfries and Galloway.

“Our officers have carried out door-to-door enquires and are speaking to people in the local community as the investigation is ongoing.”

Anyone who has information on the incident is asked to contact police on 0845 600 5701, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Mr Kendrick had been the subject of a tagging order where he had to remain in his home for six months from 7pm to 7am after admitting at Dumfries Sheriff Court last week charges of breaking into a house, stealing a key and then a car which was later found crashed and on fire.

The last murder in the region was in February 2006 when a 37-year-old man was found dead in Dumfries.