Man, 29, is convicted of killing stranger, 25, by shoving the charity employee off pier into the ocean

A person has been convicted of killing a stranger by shoving her off a pier and into the ocean earlier than claiming ‘it was only a little bit of enjoyable’.

Jacob Foster, 29, pushed charity employee Charmaine O’Donnell off Helensburgh Pier in Argyll and Bute on April 23 final yr.

Charmaine, 25, from Glasgow, suffered extreme neck accidents and drowned.

Foster, who has a studying incapacity, was at the moment convicted of a culpable murder – an offence through which an individual causes the dying of one other by appearing unlawfully however with out intention to kill – following a trial on the Excessive Court docket in Glasgow. He can be sentenced subsequent month.

Charmaine’s family members sobbed upon listening to the decision earlier than her mom Jacqueline Gallacher, 50, and stepfather William King, 54, insisted ‘justice had been served.’ 

In a household assertion they mentioned dropping their daughter had ‘modified our lives without end’, including: ‘We are going to by no means be the identical once more… our hearts have been damaged.

‘She had her entire life forward of her. She had an awesome persona and sense of humour warming the hearts of all who met her.’

Foster’s authorized workforce had lodged a particular defence of diminished duty after he was accused of Charmaine’s homicide.

The courtroom earlier heard that Charmaine, from Glasgow, had been having fun with a day trip together with her buddy Caitlin McTaggart.

She informed jurors: ‘I had wished to go the Campsies the place there’s a waterfall. She mentioned “no” as a result of she would have ended up within the water.’

The pair had considered travelling to Largs, Ayrshire, however determined to as an alternative catch the practice to Helensburgh.

Charity employee Charmaine O’Donnell, from Glasgow, suffered extreme neck accidents and drowned when she was shoved off Helensburgh Pier

Jacob Foster (pictured outdoors the Excessive Court docket in Glasgow) was at the moment convicted of a culpable murder following a trial

The incident befell at Helensburgh Pier in Argyll and Bute on April 23 final yr, the courtroom heard

When the pair arrived, they received right into a dialog with some males fishing on the pier as Foster lurked close by.

A gaggle of kids had additionally been leaping into the water to swim on the time.

Caitlin informed the courtroom of how she all of the sudden heard ‘commotion’ as a result of somebody had gone over the railings on the pier.

Initially she didn’t know who it was, however then heard an individual shout: ‘That is your pal.’

She then peered over and, to her horror, noticed Charmaine within the sea.

The courtroom heard that the close by children within the neighborhood tried to rescue her.

Requested if she had mentioned something to the defendant, Caitlin mentioned: ‘I used to be screaming at him to assist her. He simply stored saying: “What have I completed? I’ve taken it too far this time. I’m going away for a very long time.”‘

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene, however Charmaine died a short while later.

Stephen Cairns, 42, was one of many males fishing on the pier when the incident befell. 

Charmaine’s family members sobbed upon listening to the decision earlier than her mom Jacqueline Gallacher, 50, and stepfather William King, 54, insisted ‘justice had been served’ 

He informed the courtroom that Foster had shoved Charmaine over the sting ‘with each fingers’, describing the scene as ‘chaos’ instantly afterwards.

A jury heard that PC Gary Davidson spoke to Foster on the pier when emergency providers arrived on the scene.

He informed the courtroom: ‘He mentioned that it was an accident. He mentioned: “I simply pushed her. It was only a little bit of enjoyable”.

‘He mentioned that he had a couple of cans that day. I mentioned to him the most effective factor was to remain calm and never say something, however he mentioned these items many times.’

The officer mentioned Foster had informed him that he was not conscious she couldn’t swim.

Foster’s legal professionals had claimed that, due his psychological well being points, he had misunderstood an alleged comment Charmaine had made about going into the water.

However in his closing speech Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, mentioned there was ‘overwhelming’ proof Foster had pushed Charmaine, insisting it was ‘deliberate conduct’.

Ms O’Donnell was on furlough on the time of her dying and had been as a result of return to work the next week

Foster’s legal professionals had claimed that, due his psychological well being points, he had misunderstood an alleged comment Charmaine (pictured) had made about going into the water

Sean Templeton, defending Foster, requested for the defendant to be utterly acquitted, including: ‘It was a younger man with studying difficulties who received it flawed.’

Following the decision, it emerged that Foster has a lot of earlier convictions, together with assaulting a employees member at a Costa espresso store in Helensburgh in 2018.

Mr Prentice informed the courtroom that Charmaine had been on furlough on the time from her job as an assistant supervisor at a British Coronary heart Basis store.

She was as a result of return to the charity store per week after her dying.

The advocate depute mentioned: ‘It’s clear she was a lot liked and her dying has introduced untold and persevering with grief. She was described as a loving and selfless particular person.’

Decide Lord Fairley informed the courtroom that, within the ‘very uncommon circumstances’ of the case, he would proceed bail and adjourn the sentencing for reviews.

Of their assertion at the moment, Charmaine’s mother and father informed of how she had a expertise for music and artwork.

In addition they thanked these concerned within the case paying particular tribute to the ‘selfless efforts’ of the children who tried to assist Charmaine on the pier.

The assertion concluded: ‘Though no punishment will ever carry Charmaine again, we hope and pray {that a} enough sentence is served on the particular person answerable for taking her life.’

Foster, of Helensburgh, can be sentenced in September.