The father of murdered teenager Kayden Moy has said he is "devastated and disgusted" after his son's killers were granted permission to appeal their life sentences.
Cole Turley and Jay Stewart, both 18, and a 15-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, received a minimum sentence of 16 years behind bars for the murder of 16-year-old Kayden Moy at Irvine Beach last May. The trio were jailed for the fatal knife attack following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow in July.
Just four months into their sentences, the teenagers have been granted permission to appeal their life terms.
Father demands justice for victims
Reacting to the news, Kayden's father, Paul Moy, 38, told the Record: "To hear this week that they could appeal their life sentences is devastating and disgusting for us as a family. Where is the consideration for the victims? Where is the justice for the families left behind?"
He added: "Kayden doesn't get a second chance. We don't get to have our son back. Yet here I am, still having to fight and ask questions that should have been addressed long ago. It is a kick to my dead son's face and a blow to us and our lives when we are trying to move on."
Paul also questioned the message the appeals send to young people involved in violence: "What kind of message does this send to young people who are caught up in violence? If those wielding blades are granted appeals just months into their sentence, it won't deter others from thinking about picking up a knife and walking out the door."
Appeals lodged months after sentencing
The news comes just weeks after Paul met with Scottish justice minister Neil Gray at Holyrood to demand changes to parole, bail and sentencing.
Paul said: "Just weeks ago I also raised this exact concern with the Justice Secretary, explaining how victims' families are being completely failed by a system that seems to offer offenders chance after chance, while we're left to live with a lifetime of heartbreak."
Turley had over 50 convictions and was well known to authorities prior to Kayden's death. Stewart had also been given a community payback order for carrying a machete just four days before Kayden was killed.
Paul continued: "I genuinely believe that if bail hadn't been granted, events could have been very different and my son's death may have been prevented. Yet, he could be up for parole in the coming months. It doesn't make sense."
In August, it was revealed that Stewart and Turley were appealing their life sentences. Stewart reportedly lodged an appeal against the term in July, while Kayden's family were informed by email of Turley's appeal on August 4.
Details of the murder
Turley, Stewart and the 15-year-old boy stabbed Kayden to death at Irvine Beach on May 17, 2025. The trio, members of the Murray Boys gang from East Kilbride, travelled to the seaside town after discovering through social media that Kayden and his friends, who were linked to the rival Himshie group, were gathering there.
The trial heard how the teenagers arrived armed with weapons. Turley carried a large lockback knife, while Stewart had a police-style extendable baton. Kayden, who was unarmed, confronted the group before being pursued, causing him to fall to the ground.
