Wednesday 3 August 2022 03:30 PM Man, 29, is convicted of killing stranger, 25, by shoving the charity worker ... trends now
A man has been convicted of killing a stranger by shoving her off a pier and into the sea before claiming 'it was just a bit of fun'.
Jacob Foster, 29, shoved charity worker Charmaine O'Donnell off Helensburgh Pier in Argyll and Bute on April 23 last year.
Charmaine, 25, suffered severe neck injuries and drowned.
Foster, who has a learning disability, was today convicted of a culpable homicide - an offence in which a person causes the death of another by acting unlawfully but without intention to kill - following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. He will be sentenced next month.
His legal team had lodged a special defence of diminished responsibility after he was accused of her murder.
The court earlier heard that Charmaine, from Glasgow, had been enjoying a day out with her friend Caitlin McTaggart.
She told jurors: 'I had wanted to go the Campsies where there is a waterfall. She said "no" because she would have ended up in the water. basically.
The pair had thought about travelling to Largs, Ayrshire, but decided to instead catch the train to Helensburgh.
Charity worker Charmaine O'Donnell, from Glasgow, suffered severe neck injuries and drowned when she was shoved off Helensburgh Pier
Jacob Foster (pictured outside the High Court in Glasgow) was today convicted of a culpable homicide following a trial
When the pair arrived, they got into a conversation with some men fishing at the pier as Foster lurked nearby.
A group of youngsters had also been jumping into the water to swim at the time.
Caitlin told the court of how she suddenly heard 'commotion' because someone had gone over the railings at the pier.
Initially she did not know who it was, but then heard a person shout: 'That's your pal.'
She then peered over and, to her horror, saw Charmaine in the sea.
The court
