Police ScotlandA masked teenager brutally murdered a mum by repeatedly stabbing her in Edinburgh.
The 17-year-old boy killed Danielle Davidson in Constitution Street in Leith on May 18, 2023.
He made threats to the 33-year-old victim before repeatedly stabbing her on the head and body with a knife.
The teen then fled to a nearby Tesco supermarket, where he entered a closed women’s toilet to change his clothing.
The boy initially stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow charged with the murder of the woman.
The boy – who cannot be named due to his age – had lodged a special defence of self-defence.
However, the boy pled guilty after CCTV footage of the murder was played to the jury at the beginning of the trial, which was due to last around seven days.
The teen’s defence lawyer Iain McSporran KC told the trial: “From speaking to him when the court rose, he acknowledges there was no prospect of self-defence which could be put forward.”
The footage showed the boy and another person – both dressed in black – on electric scooters on Duke Street around 7.45pm.
Ms Davidson and a man walked in the opposite direction on Duke Street before she spoke to the other person on the scooter.
She and the other person walked down Constitution Street, which runs beside Duke Street, with the man following far behind them.
Ms Davidson was stated by lawyers to have “money” or “paper” in her hand.
Meantime, the boy’s father – who was with another male – was seen to be in a phone conversation in a nearby pub.
They quickly left the pub and ran down Constitution Street towards Ms Davidson and the other person.
Footage showed the boy’s father, his friend, and Ms Davidson’s male companion -who was holding a knife – and Ms Davidson having a discussion.
The other person on the scooter was noted to be a distance away and appeared to be pointed at during the discussion.
The boy wearing a balaclava and carrying a bag then arrived at the scene on his scooter, which he dropped to the ground.
Footage showed that the man still had a knife in his hand.
The boy also produced a knife in his hand.
The boy and the man remonstrated with each other on the tramlines and the pavement.
During the incident, the boy’s father stood between them both and appeared to “usher” his son away.
The boy’s electric scooter was seen to be pulled from the ground and dropped by the man and Ms Davidson during the altercation.
Ms Davidson appeared to speak to the boy who she “motioned” or “pointed” at, and he went towards her.
Prosecutor John McElroy KC asked detective constable Philip Wright, 43, if the boy was seen to hold on to the woman and he replied: “Yes.”
Mr McElroy asked: “What do you see him doing with his right hand?”
DC Wright replied: “He raised it up.”
Mr McElroy asked: “This was the right hand which had a knife in it?”
DC Wright responded: “Yes.”
Mr McElroythen said: “What do you see?”
DC Wright replied: “She is getting stabbed repeatedly.”
Mr McElroy also stated that Ms Davidson was also punched by the boy.
The footage showed Ms Davidson lying on the tramlines before she sat up briefly and then fell back down again.
The scooter was seen to exchange hands between the three men.
Ms Davidson was tended to by her male companion before members of the public arrived to assist.
The footage then skipped to a Tesco where the boy entered a women’s toilets where he changed his clothing and exited the store.
Mr McElroy pointed jurors to the boy’s “particular” trainers which were said to be “similar” to the ones worn during the incident.
Footage from the following early morning appeared to show the boy wearing the “particular” shoes entering a white car and driving off.
Ms Davidson was rushed to hospital with serious injuries but later died.
Mr McElroy told the court after the plea was tendered that a full narrative of the facts will be heard on Monday.
Judge Lord Arthurson remanded the boy in custody.
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