Teenagers jailed for murdering 16-year-old in beach knife attack

Earlier Donald Findlay KC spoke on behalf of Stewart in mitigation. He told the court Stewart and Kayden Moy were “once close friends”.

He added: “But two groups formed and started behaving that way. Violence was commonplace.”

He said Stewart was remorseful for what happened and had been “hugely affected” since his conviction.

Stewart was subject to a community repayment order for a machete possession charge issued four days before the murder.

His other previous conviction was for breach of peace with a knife.

Mark Stewart KC, representing Turley, said the 18-year-old “did not intend or want to kill Kayden Moy but accepted this”.

A third teenager, Iain Duguid KC, said he was 14 at the time of the murder and his “immaturity” was highlighted in criminal justice social work reports.

He said the teenager had a “traumatic upbringing” and had since been busy with educational projects while in secure accommodation.

He will be held in a secure location until he is 19 before being transferred to prison.

Moira Orr, head of homicide at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “The three defendants, all young people, established themselves as potential killers as soon as they were armed with at least one knife.

“And they became murderers. One of them – Cole Turley – delivered the fatal blow, but prosecutors proved that all three were part of the planning and execution of the crime.

“It is difficult to adequately express the devastation caused by their decision to carry bladed weapons.”