Woman to appear in court over death of boy in Scotland

A 33-year-old woman will appear in court tomorrow after being arrested and charged in connection with the death of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular in Scotland.

Police did not name the woman, but it has been widely reported that Rosdeep Kular, the mother of the missing Edinburgh boy, was being questioned by officers after a child’s body was discovered in Fife.

The development was announced late last night by Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, who said: "During the course of today, the investigation into the disappearance of Mikaeel Kular has continued at pace.

“Following formal identification, I can now confirm that a 33-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with Mikaeel’s death.

“The woman is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.”

A major police investigation was launched to trace Mikaeel after he was reported missing from his home in Edinburgh’s Ferry Gait Crescent on Thursday.

More than 200 members of the public joined police and other agencies in their searches for the youngster in the Drylaw area of the capital on Friday.

Officers searching for the three-year-old found remains — now identified as those of Mikaeel — in Kirkcaldy, Fife, shortly before midnight that day.

Mr Graham expressed his thanks to all those who aided police in recent days.

More than 500 calls were made by the public to a dedicated phone line set up in the wake of Mikaeel’s disappearance, he revealed.

He said: “I would like to again recognise the overwhelming public assistance that Police Scotland have received during the course of this very complex investigation. This includes his family and friends, with whom our thoughts remain.”

He added: "Inquiries continue, led by the Major Investigation Team of Police Scotland, supported by a range of local and national specialist assets from across the country. I ask that anybody who has any information that they feel would assist the investigation contacts the police."

Mr Graham said he would be unable to answer further questions about the investigation.

Yesterday afternoon a body was removed from a wooded area behind a property in Dunvegan Avenue, Kirkcaldy.

Pandeep Kular, 37, Mikaeel’s aunt, sobbed as she told the Sunday People: “We’re devastated. I’m with the kids.”

She said she had not spoken with her sister, saying: “I’m not aware of anything. I’m just with my family in the house. That’s all I can say. We’ve just lost him.”

Dr Bangarpet Krishnaswamy, who is married to Mikaeel's grandmother, gave an emotional tribute to those who helped search for the little boy, the Sunday Mirror said.

He said: “I would like to thank all the public and the police for the search, which sadly turned out to be a futile.”

Floral tributes, soft toys and candles have been placed at a small park in the Drylaw area in Edinburgh, just around the corner from the flat where Mikaeel lived on Ferry Gait Crescent.

In Edinburgh, around 500 people turned out last night for a memorial service at Muirhouse St Andrew’s Church, less than a mile from the home Mikaeel shared with his mother, twin sister and three other siblings.

Meanwhile, Derbyshire Police said they had assisted colleagues at Police Scotland by arresting a man on suspicion of sending offensive tweets in relation to the disappearance of the toddler.

A force spokesman said: “Officers arrested the 26-year-old Heanor man this morning on suspicion of committing a racially aggravated public order offence. “Members of the public in Edinburgh had complained about the content of some Twitter messages linked to the disappearance of three-year-old

Mikaeel Kular. “The man was questioned and released on police bail while the Crown Prosecution Service considers the case.”

PA