Man, 25, appears in court accused of murdering West Lothian man

A 25-year-old man has appeared in court accused of murder following the death of a West Lothian man.
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Patrick Columb appeared in private at Livingston Sheriff Court on Tuesday and made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

He was charged with murdering 35-year-old Dean Ritchie who was found dead at a property in Blackburn, West Lothian, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

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Columb, whose address in court was given as Bathgate, is expected to make a second court appearance for full committal next week.

Dean Ritchie.Dean Ritchie.
Dean Ritchie.

Mr Ritchie, from Blackburn, was pronounced dead after police and paramedics were called to an address in the town's Mosside Drive at 12.50am on Saturday, June 12.

Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Miller, from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said Dean’s family had been left "devastated" by his death.

He added: "It is vital we find answers for them. We are continuing inquiries in order to piece together Dean’s movements prior to his death and to establish the full circumstances of what happened."

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DCI Miller said he believed members of the local community had information which could assist their ongoing enquiries.

He added: "I would appeal to them to do the right thing and come forward. Families need to know why they have lost a loved one.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team via 101, quoting incident number 0208 of Saturday, 12 June, 2021.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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