Woman admits killing Nattalie Muir in Whitburn

Nattalie Muir Nattalie Muir was found fatally injured on Brucefield Drive in Whitburn

A 20-year-old woman has admitted stabbing a "devoted" young mother to death in Whitburn, West Lothian.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Emma Merrilees pled guilty to murdering Nattalie Muir, 21, who was found fatally injured in Brucefield Drive.

Ms Muir, from Bathgate, who had a two-year-old daughter, died in hospital after the stabbing on 11 December.

No details of the incident were given as two other accused are still awaiting trial.

George Stewart, 34, from West Calder and a 15-year-old boy from Whitburn - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - deny murder and attempting to cover up the killing by disposing of weapons and clothing.

Another woman, Samantha Stewart, 21, from Breich, walked free when her not guilty pleas to both charges were accepted by the Crown.

'Loving daughter'

George Stewart and the teenager are due back in court later this month for a judge to decide the next step. Merrilees will not be sentenced until their case has been dealt with.

After Ms Muir's death, her father Callum, 41, issued a statement describing her as "a beautiful and loving daughter".

He said the murder had devastated the family and they were struggling to come to terms with their loss.

"She was a devoted mother to daughter Paige and was adored by everyone who knew her," added Mr Muir.

Merrilees had also been accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by hiding clothes and weapons but her not guilty plea to that charge was accepted.

More on This Story

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites

BBC Edinburgh, Fife and East

Weather

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Min. Night 6 °C

Features & Analysis

Elsewhere on BBC News

  • Donald TrumpWinning business

    Why trying to become a successful entrepreneur has never been more fashionable

Programmes

  • A Chinese woman drinking red wineTalking Movies Watch

    Tom Brook looks at Red Obsession, a film which charts China's thirst for red wine

BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.