A heartbroken dad has paid tribute to his daughter who died after taking ecstasy on what would have been her 16th birthday.
Tragic Grace Handling passed away at age 13 in a house in Irvine, Ayrshire, on the day school broke up for the holidays in 2018.
We told yesterday how teen Callum Owens, also from Irvine, appeared in Glasgow High Court charged with killing Grace by supplying her with the drug.
Today would have been Grace’s 16th birthday celebrations.
To mark the devastating date, her dad Stewart Handling said his daughter would be “dancing in heaven”.
He said: “She loved dance and the way it expressed her feelings.
“I would like to thank everyone who has sent love and good wishes on Grace's birthday, nobody knew her more than her big sister Dani Handling and I thank Dani for all she gave to Grace and the love she showed her all her 13 years on earth.”
Callum Owens, 19, denies the culpable homicide charge which alleges he killed Grace by recklessly and unlawfully supplying a lethal drug to her on June 28, 2018.
Owens, who is represented by defence QC Donald Findlay, denies the charges against him.
Trial was set by judge Lord Fairley for September 7 this year.
Prosecutors state that Grace ingested the drug to the danger of her health, safety and life and died as a consequence.
Trial was set by judge Lord Fairley for September 7 this year.
