Schoolgirl laid to rest 16 years after she disappeared

MOURNERS at the funeral of Vicky Hamilton yesterday were told the schoolgirl’s family had been “robbed” of seeing her grow up.

Redding Parish Church near Falkirk was packed as family and friends finally paid their respects to the 15-year-old more than 16 years after she disappeared.

Her remains were unearthed at a house in Margate, Kent, England, on November 12, alongside those of 18-year-old student Dinah McNicol.

It was the former home of handyman Peter Tobin, 61, who has since been charged with Vicky’s murder.

Her tearful father Michael, his wife Christine, and Vicky’s brother and sisters were among about 200 people crammed into the church.

The schoolgirl’s mother, Janette, died in 1993 aged 43.

Minister of Redding and Westquarter, the Rev Geoffrey Smart, told the congregation: “Her family were robbed of seeing Vicky grow up as all their hopes and expectations for Vicky’s future were taken from them.

“We must not dwell on this today, but try to see beyond its darkness and focus on the light of our Christian belief which tells us that Vicky is safe and secure in heaven, together with her granny and her mum.”

Many other residents of the village stood outside in the pouring rain as the ceremony took place.

Inside the church Mr Hamilton sat in the front pew with his head bowed, clasping the hand of his wife, while Rev Smart spoke to the gathering.

On the other side of the front row were Vicky’s siblings, sister Sharon Brown, 36, and twins Lee and Lindsay Hamilton, 23.

They each held a red rose for the funeral, and wept openly during the service.

The congregation, many of whom were weeping, sang hymns during the service.

At the end more tears flowed as the coffin was carried out to Westlife’s song You Raise Me Up.

Vicky disappeared while waiting for a bus in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland, in February 1991.

After her funeral service, her coffin was taken on the brief journey from the church to New Grandsable Cemetery.