Paul Moy, the father of murdered teenager Kayden Moy, has criticised Scotland's youth justice system, claiming teenagers pick up blades like "picking up house keys".
Jay Stewart, 19, Cole Turley, 18, and a 15-year-old (who cannot be named) were jailed for a total of 46 years at the High Court in Glasgow for stabbing Kayden to death at Irvine Beach on May 17 last year.
Father's criticism of authorities
Speaking after the sentencing, Paul Moy said: "The system is completely broken in Scotland. These boys terrorised people. They were allowed to roam unfettered, carrying knives for years and they weren't stopped. They picked up a blade to leave the house the way people pick up their house keys or wallets. My son had to die before something was done to stop them."
Turley, who admitted his role, was jailed for a minimum of 16 years. Stewart and the 15-year-old were found guilty of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 16 years and 14 years, respectively.
Gang involvement
The trio were members of the 'Murray Boys' blade gang in East Kilbride. The court heard Turley had over 50 convictions, and Stewart had been given a community payback order for carrying a machete just four days before the murder.
Paul Moy said: "As a family we are grateful that justice has been served. But youths carrying a knife should be automatically locked up in secure care or a young offenders institution. Cole Turley had over 50 convictions so why didn't they lock him up before? It feels like a system that mollycoddles young offenders."
Anonymity order criticised
Paul also criticised the anonymity order granted to the 15-year-old killer, saying: "The 15-year-old boy took a life. He should not be viewed as a child who needs protection. Everyone should know who he is, he is a danger to society. The day after Kayden was murdered his name and picture was everywhere. There was no protection for my son's identity."
Victim Support statement
Carol Eden, Head of Communications and External Affairs at Victim Support Scotland, said: "Knife crime continues to devastate too many lives in Scotland each year. Countless individuals - families, friends, classmates, and entire communities - are left to deal with the tragic and lasting impact. That is why there must be stronger, evidence-based solutions to tackle knife crime, and prevent it from happening in the first place."
