Three teenagers will learn their penalties tomorrow after being convicted over the death of 16-year-old Kayden Moy, who was fatally stabbed at Irvine beach on 17 May 2025.
Verdict and background
The three defendants are Cole Turley, 18, Jay Stewart, 18, and a 15-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons. Turley admitted the killing; Stewart and the under-18 were convicted of murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow last month. All three had been identified as members of the Murray Boys group, while Kayden and others were said to be part of a separate group known as Himshie in East Kilbride.
What happened on the beach
During the trial the court heard the attack occurred after the three had been on a sand dune where rocks were being thrown at people on the beach. Kayden and others went up to confront the teenagers. Witness evidence included accounts that one of the defendants produced a blade; when Kayden tried to move away he slipped and was stabbed twice in his lower left side.
“Nothing that happens in that courtroom will ever bring our son back... It is about justice, accountability, and making sure my son’s life is remembered. Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever my son.”
The words above were posted on social media by Kayden’s father, Paul Moy, ahead of the sentencing court appearance.
Local impact and legal next steps
The sentencing hearing will determine the length and nature of the punishments to be imposed by the judge. Sentences in cases involving murder, particularly where one defendant is a juvenile, often take account of a range of factors including age, level of participation, mitigation presented at trial and any admissions made.
- Three defendants: two aged 18 and one aged 15 (name withheld)
- Incident date: 17 May 2025, Irvine beach
- Groups involved: Murray Boys (defendants) and Himshie (Kayden and associates)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Kayden Moy, aged 16 |
| Location | Irvine beach, North Ayrshire |
| Defendants | Cole Turley (admitted), Jay Stewart (convicted), 15-year-old (convicted) |
The case has reverberated through communities across East Kilbride and nearby towns, prompting reflection about youth violence and group rivalries. The family’s public message underlined that no sentence will reverse the loss, but aims to ensure accountability and remembrance.
The sentencing remarks and the judge’s decision tomorrow will be a focal point for both the victim’s family and local residents who have followed the trial. Where further legal outcomes or appeals are lodged, they will be reported in due course.
