Three teenagers have been given long prison terms after being convicted of murdering 16-year-old Kayden Moy at Irvine Beach last May — a sentence the victim’s father said cannot restore what his family has lost. The case, concluded at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday, underlines growing concerns about youth violence and the deadly role of knives.
Sentencing and legal outcome
The court handed down minimum detention periods that together total 46 years: two young men will serve at least 16 years each and a 15-year-old, whose identity is legally protected, will serve a minimum of 14 years. One defendant, Cole Turley, had admitted his part in the killing before the trial; the other two — Jay Stewart and the 15-year-old — were found guilty after a jury hearing last month.
| Defendant | Age | Status | Minimum term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Stewart | 19 | Convicted at trial | 16 years |
| Cole Turley | 18 | Pleaded guilty | 16 years |
| 15-year-old (identity protected) | 15 | Convicted at trial | 14 years |
What happened at Irvine Beach
Prosecutors said the three travelled to the Ayrshire coast looking for Kayden and others; a confrontation on a sand dune escalated after rocks were thrown. Court testimony described how Turley produced a large lockback knife while Stewart carried an extendable baton. Kayden fell during the clash and was stabbed twice — in the body and the thigh — then staggered away but later died from his injuries.
The judge concluded the trio had gone to the beach determined to carry out an attack, and that at least two of them arrived armed. He said their actions showed a clear disregard for Kayden’s life.
Family and community reaction
Outside court, Kayden’s father spoke of a family permanently changed by the killing and welcomed the sentences while making plain they could not replace his son. He praised police, prosecutors and community members who supported the family through the trial and urged people to remember Kayden for who he was, not only how he died.
The family’s written victim impact statement, read in court, described the ongoing pain of losing a son and the long shadow the attack has cast over birthdays, gatherings and future plans.
Prosecutors and wider implications
Moira Orr, who led the prosecution team, said arming themselves with a bladed weapon transformed the teenagers into potential killers — and that prosecutors proved all three took part in planning and carrying out the assault. She warned of the deep damage caused by knife-related violence: a life cut short, traumatized witnesses and a community left to pick up the pieces.
- Support for witnesses: Several young witnesses gave evidence remotely using a video suite arranged by prosecutors to reduce distress.
- Legal consequences: The sentences reflect the court’s view of premeditation and shared responsibility in fatal knife attacks.
- Community impact: Local leaders and families are continuing to call for preventative measures to curb youth violence.
This sentencing is likely to renew debate about how to prevent knife crime among young people and how the justice system balances punishment, rehabilitation and the protection of vulnerable witnesses.
For Kayden’s family, the court’s decision is a form of accountability but not an end to their grief — a reminder that criminal sentences, however lengthy, cannot fully repair the harm of a single violent act.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
