Man pleads guilty to murder of 'beautiful and caring' mother and daughter
Last updated 27th Jun 2025
A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a 31-year-old woman in the Scottish Borders.
It follows an incident at an address in the Berwickshire village of Chirnside in the early hours of Sunday, February 9th.
According to police, Megan Hughes was subjected to "a vicious and calculated attack" by Corey Dryden, also aged 31, which ultimately resulted in her death.
Emergency services raced to the scene in Windram Road after the alarm was raised around 4.35am.
Police had received a report of a woman having been seriously injured within a property there.
However Megan - who has been described as a "much-loved mother and daughter", who was "beautiful and caring", in a statement released by her family - was pronounced dead at the scene.
Dryden, whose address was also given as Chirnside, was arrested on the same date and later charged in connection with her death.
The High Court in Edinburgh today (Friday) heard he repeatedly struck Megan on the head and body with a knife. He will be sentenced on Thursday, July 24th.
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Commenting on his conviction, Detective Chief Inspector Laura White, of Police Scotland, said: “This was a vicious and calculated attack by Dryden that tragically resulted in Megan’s death.
"His actions have robbed a family of their mum, daughter, granddaughter, sister and niece.
“Our thoughts very much remain with Megan’s family and friends as they come to terms with what happened to her.
"I sincerely hope that today’s conviction brings them some sense of justice that Dryden will now face the full consequences of his actions.”
In February, we reported how an area around the property - which neighbours a children's playpark - was sealed off following the incident.
In a statement released at the time, Megan's family said her loss has "left a massive hole" in their lives, and they are all "absolutely devastated".
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