Pamela Munro gave birth to little Penny nine months ago - a year after the tragic death of her older daughter Paige at the hands of a twisted killer

Pamela Munro gave birth to little Penny nine months ago – a year after the tragic death of her older daughter Paige at the hands of a twisted killer

The heartbroken mother of murdered schoolgirl Paige Doherty has said her baby daughter has brought joy back to the family for the first time.

Pamela Munro gave birth to little Penny nine months ago – a year after the tragic death of her older daughter at the hands of a twisted killer.

John Leathem, 33, was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in jail for the murder – which was later reduced to at least 23 years. 

Pamela and 35-year-old husband Andy had previously said the pregnancy was a ‘positive to focus on’ after the tragedy. 

Pamela told the Daily Record: ‘Penny has given us new hope and Paige would have adored her. I’m just so sad that she will never have the chance to meet her.

‘We keep photos all around the house so Penny will grow up and know all about Paige.

‘We’ve been to hell and back but Penny has brought us happiness during a very difficult time.’

Pamela, 35, and Andy gave their little girl the middle name ‘Paige’ in memory of her older sister.

Little Penny joins Andrew, 11, Payton, six, and Lucas, two, at the family home near Glasgow.

Pamela gave birth at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on May 10 last year.

John Leathem, 33, pictured, was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in jail for the murder of Paige Doherty - which was later reduced to at least 23 years

John Leathem, 33, pictured, was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in jail for the murder of Paige Doherty - which was later reduced to at least 23 years

John Leathem, 33, was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in jail for the murder of Paige Doherty, pictured - which was later reduced to at least 23 years

John Leathem, 33, was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in jail for the murder of Paige Doherty, pictured - which was later reduced to at least 23 years

John Leathem, 33, pictured left, was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in jail for the murder of Paige Doherty, pictured right – which was later reduced to at least 23 years

Posting at the time on a Facebook page set up in Paige’s memory, well-wishers congratulated the family on their new arrival.

Mackenzie Armitt wrote: ‘A huge congratulations to Pamela and family on the birth of Penny Paige will be so proud of you, she’ll be perfect.’

Jessica Clarke added: ‘Congratulations on the birthday of Penny, Pamela! Paige would be so so proud of you.’

Ceycey Atkinson said: ‘Just want to congratulate Paige’s mother on the birth of her daughter Penny. I’m sure she was a gift from Paige herself, hope all is well xx’

Leathem admitted killing the 15-year-old when she stopped for a breakfast roll at his Delicious Deli in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, on March 19 last year.

After killing Paige, Leathem stored her body in a shed at his nearby home before dumping her remains in bushes two days later on March 21

After killing Paige, Leathem stored her body in a shed at his nearby home before dumping her remains in bushes two days later on March 21

After killing Paige, Leathem stored her body in a shed at his nearby home before dumping her remains in bushes two days later on March 21

Paige suffered 61 stab wounds and 85 slashes to her face, head and arms in the ‘savage and frenzied’ murder.

Last year he was given a life sentence after he admitted murdering the 15-year-old and told he must serve at least 27 years in jail before that was reduced to 23.

The judges justified their ruling by saying Leathem had since shown remorse and had not pre-planned her murder.

After killing Paige, Leathem stored her body in a shed at his nearby home before dumping her remains in bushes two days later on March 21.

He was jailed as her family screamed ‘rot in hell’ and ‘monster’ from the public gallery.



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