Justice urged for 'murdered' cadet

Lesley and Derek McIntosh called for criminal prosecutions following the death of schoolgirl Kaylee in a training exercise.

Their comments followed the publication of a sheriff's findings from a fatal accident inquiry into the 14-year-old's death.

In his determination, Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen said a series of failures had contributed to Kaylee's death, which could have been avoided if precautions were taken. But Mr and Mrs McIntosh said the sheriff had not produced the "tough recommendations" needed.

Kaylee died after she was pinned under a boat in Loch Carnan, South Uist, in the Outer Hebrides in August 2007. The schoolgirl, from Fyvie in Aberdeenshire, was one of 34 cadets taking part in the three-boat exercise.

A rescue effort was launched after the boat carrying Kaylee capsized in choppy waters. But an error in the head count by organisers meant she was trapped under the boat for 90 minutes before it was noticed she was missing.

An investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found she was given a life jacket not approved for children, which kept her pinned under the boat.

Speaking at a press conference in Aberdeen, a tearful Mrs McIntosh said she had been left "angry, disappointed and disgusted" by the sheriff's findings. She said: "We don't think he has done Kaylee justice and that's what we were looking for."

Mr McIntosh said: "The army murdered our Kaylee. It is as plain and simple as that. Kaylee didn't die because someone made a silly mistake. She died because of a horrific catalogue of reckless and irresponsible conduct by those in charge."

Mrs McIntosh added: "We believe there have to be criminal charges to give Kaylee the justice she deserves."