A 17-year-old accused of murdering 15-year-old Amen Teklay has told police the victim was carrying a weapon described as a 'pirate's sword' during the fatal encounter. The teenager's police interview was played to jurors today at the High Court in Glasgow, where he and a 16-year-old co-accused stand trial for the murder of Amen Teklay.
Details of the Incident
The two teenagers, who cannot be named due to their age, are accused of assaulting Amen in the St George's Cross area of Glasgow on March 5, 2025. Prosecutors allege the pair, both wearing balaclavas, chased Amen while armed with a sword and a frying pan before he was struck with the sword. The charge states he was left fatally injured in Clarendon Street. Amen, who lived in Glasgow with his father and was originally from Eritrea, later died from his injuries.
Police Interview Evidence
Detective Constable Jim Herbison told the court he and Detective Sergeant Steven Owen interviewed the 17-year-old after his arrest on March 23, 2025. During the interview, the teenager initially answered 'no comment' to questions before giving his account. He told officers he knew of Amen but claimed the confrontation was the first time they had met. He denied any prior threats or 'bad blood,' though he said Amen had previously had 'some battles' with the 16-year-old co-accused and another youth.
Weapon Claims
The teenager said he had been told Amen was in the Firhill area and that they should 'watch out' because 'apparently Amen had a knife on him.' He said Amen had been travelling in a black Honda Civic and they went to find him 'to see what he was doing here.' According to the 17-year-old, Amen was wearing a balaclava when they encountered him and was carrying what looked 'kinda like a pirate's sword.' He told detectives the 16-year-old co-accused was carrying what he described as a 'red machete' or 'big sword thing.'
Self-Defence Argument
A special defence of self-defence has been lodged by the 16-year-old. The court heard the teenager claimed the two boys initially shouted at each other, with the 16-year-old allegedly saying: 'It's Ramadan, we don't need to do this,' in an attempt to avoid a fight. He said both youths then swung knives at each other but were 'dodging and missing.' The 17-year-old said he stepped back, picked up a frying pan and held it to protect himself from any swing. He claimed Amen saw him holding it and asked: 'What are you saying?' but he did not reply.
Fatal Stabbing
The teenager then told officers: 'He seen the chance and just stabbed him.' When detectives asked if the 'red machete' was the weapon he saw used against Amen, the teenager replied: 'Yes... just once.' He said Amen was stabbed 'around his chest... it looked like it was around his chest.' Asked what happened afterwards, the teenager said: 'I just froze for a couple of seconds and then Amen had gone. I just ran straight to the bus stop and waited for the bus then got the bus to my friend's house.' He said he threw the frying pan over a wall, while the 16-year-old picked up his e-scooter and the knife before putting the weapon back in its case.
Gang Involvement Denied
The teenager told officers Amen ran away, tripped and cried after being stabbed. He denied being involved in a gang but claimed the 16-year-old was part of one known as 'TCB.' It was asked of the 17-year-old if he could just have left the scene after the knife was pulled out. He replied: 'I mean I could have, but then I would have been called names and stuff.' The boy added: 'I wasn't expecting like someone to die... though there are two swords... I thought everything would just calm down or someone would run away.'
Failure to Seek Help
The teenager went on to claim he didn't think Amen had died and did not contact the emergency services. He added that his phone ran out of battery and he found out about the murder on social media. DS Owen put to him that witnesses saw three people involved in a fight and the 17-year-old replied: 'No one was fighting. They kept moving and I kept moving.' It was suggested that Amen was seen trying to walk away but was followed by two males who appeared to have confronted him, the 17-year-old replied: 'No.' He denied being responsible for Amen's death or intending to kill him.
Trial Continues
In later questioning, the advocate put it to the detective constable that his client 'maintained the position that he had not participated in any way?' DC Herbison replied: 'That's his stance.' The trial continues tomorrow before Judge Lord Colbeck.
