By Claire Warrender

A YOUNG mother killed in a horrific attack in her own home at the weekend has been described as a wonderful human being.

Sonia Todd (21) was found dead in the bedroom of her flat in Stewart Court, Methil, by shocked neighbours on Sunday evening.

Her 24-year-old boyfriend David Kinloch, who lived with her, appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Monday charged with her murder.

Yesterday, as floral tributes continued to be laid outside the block on the site of the old Bayview football ground, a former teacher of Sonia’s expressed his shock and devastation at her death.

Colin Davidson, who was head of religious and moral education at Kirkland High School in Methil for four years, said she was a quiet, gentle soul with a zest for life.

“She had a wonderful spirit. If I ever had anything on the go such as working with the elderly or sponsored walks or whatever, she was the first to come along and offer to help,” he said.

“She suffered from diabetes and had bad asthma so she wasn’t in school a lot, but she had a wonderful, wonderful enthusiasm for life.”

Sonia had a five-year-old daughter who lived with her grandparents and was not present during Sunday’s incident. She is also survived by her mother and father, and a younger sister.

Mr Davidson said Sonia had left school at 16 despite being very bright academically and he had always assumed she would one day go to college.

“Sonia had time on her side and I believe she would have won through in the end as she had a desire to better herself,” he said.

Mr Davidson added, “And despite her problems she wanted to help other people. That was her first aim in life. She was a wonderful human being.”

Among her good works was a weekend spent in Edinburgh with fellow Kirkland pupils helping the Sisters of Charity, a religious order which looks after the homeless.

She also travelled to Iona with the school where one of her tasks was to help clean the grave of former Labour leader John Smith.

“I was devastated when I heard about her death,” said Mr Davidson.

“I teach hundreds of pupils but Sonia was one who, when I saw her in the street, I would go out of my way to speak to her and everybody’s saying the same thing.”

Sonia’s parents said in a statement, “We are devastated by Sonia’s loss and she will be very much missed by all of us.”

Meanwhile, police are piecing together her whereabouts before the incident.

Detective Inspector Andy Girdwood said, “The last confirmed sighting of Sonia was Saturday afternoon on Wellesley Road, Methil.

“We believe Sonia may also have gone out in Methil or Leven on Saturday evening and are very keen to hear from anyone who knows her and saw her.

“Any piece of information could be important.”