A COMMUNITY which united to search for a three-year-old boy who was later found to have been murdered by his mother gathered last night to hold a vigil in his memory.

A year ago, residents of Muirhouse in Edinburgh turned out in their hundreds to help police and emergency services comb the local area for Mikaeel Kular, below, who had been reported missing from his home by his mother.

However, the youngster's body was found two days later, in woodland in Fife. He had suffered repeated beatings at the hands of his mother, Rosdeep Adekoya.

Last night, members of the community came together again as they lit candles and held a minute's silence. The vigil was held at Linear Park, where dozens of floral tributes and soft toys were placed last year by shocked residents.

Speaking ahead of the event, co-organiser Robert Pearson, chairman of the Tenants And Residents In Muirhouse group, said: "The residents feel it's very important to hold this event … it's still very raw in the community. The community pulled together and that is exactly what we will do again this evening."

Adekoya, 34, was jailed for 11 years last August after pleading guilty to the culpable homicide of her son. The court heard she "lost her temper" when her son was repeatedly sick following a trip to a Nando's restaurant and had "beat him heavily".