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

Three teenagers have been sentenced to significant prison terms for the murder of 16-year-old Kayden Moy during a gang confrontation on Irvine Beach in May 2025. Cole Turley, 18, and Jay Stewart, 19, received minimum sentences of 16 years after pleading guilty or being convicted of murder. A 15-year-old, whose identity is protected by law, was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years detention.

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While today's outcome brings a measure of justice, it does not bring peace, it does not bring our son back.

Kayden Moy's father, Paul Moy, expressed the profound grief his family endures, stating that while the sentence brings some justice, it offers no peace and cannot bring his son back. "Kayden was more than a name in the courtroom or a headline in the news; he was our son, he was loved beyond words and had his whole life ahead of him," he said, emphasizing the devastating and irreversible consequences of violence and the pain his family lives with daily.

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Kayden was more than a name in the courtroom or a headline in the news, he was our son, he was loved beyond words and had his whole life ahead of him.

Judge Lord Scott characterized the death as "pointless and unnecessary," noting the attackers traveled to Irvine armed and intending reprisal for a perceived slight. The court heard that Stewart and the 15-year-old chased Moy and repeatedly stabbed him after he fell. CCTV footage showed the trio hugging and shaking hands shortly after the attack. In a disturbing display, they later created a rap song mocking Moy and one attacker acted out the murder at a friend's hideout, where the friend testified the teenagers were "over the moon" afterward.

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We hope today's sentence sends a clear message that violence has a devastating and irreversible consequences.

The attackers were identified as members of the Murray Boys gang from East Kilbride, while Moy belonged to the rival Himshie group. The confrontation escalated after an earlier fight between the gangs that day. Prosecutors stated the attackers threw rocks to provoke a fight, and Stewart, who also carried an extendable baton, had previously made social media threats against Moy. After the stabbing, the group took a taxi back to East Kilbride.

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One moment of violence has destroyed so many lives and no family should ever have to endure the pain that we now live with every day.