Head on beach victim remembered

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About 200 people attended the service at Arbroath, Angus, just yards from the area where Jolanta Bledaite's remains were found.

Ms Bledaite, 35, came from Alytus, in Lithuania, and was working in Brechin in Angus. Two young sisters playing on the beach found her head in a plastic bag on April 1 and her hands were discovered nearby shortly afterwards.

Police recovered a suitcase containing further body parts from Arbroath harbour on April 5. Two Lithuanian men have been charged with Ms Bledaite's murder and have been committed for trial.

The service took the form of a Roman Catholic mass, conducted by the Rev Kevin Golden, priest of St Thomas RC church in Dishlandtown Street, Arbroath.

A number of people wept during the hour-long service which featured hymns accompanied by bagpipe music.

Mourners gathered around a small table on which sat a framed black and white photograph of Ms Bledaite, a crucifix and a collection of pebbles from her grandmother's garden in Lithuania.

A number of dignitaries from Eastern Europe attended - including Lithuanian ambassador Vygaueas Usackas - as well as the police officer who has led the investigation into her death, Detective Chief Inspector Graham McMillan.

Mr Usackas said: "I wanted to attend to extend my warmest thanks on behalf of all the people of Lithuania for the sympathy and moral and financial support received. I met with the family in Lithuania and they are as moved as I am about what people have done here in Arbroath."

The service was organised by Arbroath woman Sue Smith, who has worked closely with the area's migrant community in recent years and who recently returned from a visit to Ms Bledaite's family in Lithuania. She said: "It was a lovely service and I am just so happy that everyone turned up."