Two men charged with the murder of a Lithuanian woman whose severed head was found on a beach were committed for trial today.

Vitas Plytnykas, 40, and Aleksandras Skirda, 19, made their second appearance in private at Forfar Sheriff Court in Angus.

They made no plea or declaration and were remanded in custody.

A trial date has not yet been set.

The pair initially appeared in private at the same court on April 7 in connection with the death of Jolanta Bledaite, 35.

The men, who lived in Brechin, Angus, were charged with her murder, attempting to defeat the ends of justice and theft.

Ms Bledaite, from Alytus in Lithuania, had been in the UK for around 18 months.

She was working in the nearby town of Brechin as a casual labourer and was reported missing by her employer.

Two young sisters, aged eight and 11, found her head in a plastic bag on a beach in Arbroath, Angus, on April 1 and her hands were later recovered by police.

Further body parts were found in a suitcase in Arbroath harbour on April 5.

A major investigation was launched following the discovery of the head, with uniformed officers, detectives, search officers and specialist members of police staff working on the case.

The mother of the two young girls who found the head today said she wanted her daughters' lives to return to normal.

In a statement issued through Tayside Police, the girls' mother thanked the local community for its concern and support in recent weeks.

She also expressed her condolences to Ms Bledaite's family in Lithuania.

“We very much want to move forward as a family and for the kids' lives to return to normal as soon as possible,” she said.

“Our thoughts at this time are very much with Jolanta's family in Lithuania.”

The girls' mother added: “We understand that many people have considered a fund for the girls but we would like to state that we have not and will not accept any funds being set up or monies donated.”

Meanwhile, Tayside Police today sought to reassure residents in Brechin and Arbroath that a high policing presence would continue in both towns.

Chief Superintendent Alan Campbell said: “We will continue in our efforts to provide the reassurance our communities deserve and will work with our partners in Angus Council in forging the links with our migrant communities.

“By doing this we will understand better their needs and concerns which will assist in engendering the confidence to report matters to us.

“I want all of our migrant workers to know that any crime is unacceptable, and actively encourage them to report anything to us. We understand that there may be language barriers, but feel assured as we have access to a range of official interpreters if necessary.”

He added that Angus was a “safe county”, which boasted the lowest recorded level of serious violent crime on the Scottish mainland.

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