Teenager jailed for double stabbing
15 February 2019, 18:18 | Updated: 15 February 2019, 18:24
A teenager has been sentenced to four years behind bars after stabbing two people in an attempted murder and an assault.
The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to one charge of attempted murder and one charge of assault to severe injury last month.
The attempted murder happened in the early hours of September 1 last year outside the Waterstones store in Princes Street in Edinburgh, police said.
A 32-year-old man suffered several stab wounds to his body after confronting the teenager over his behaviour towards two homeless women who were taking shelter in the doorway.
The second attack happened on Tuesday September 4 in Cockburn Street, where two men were approached by the teenager and two others.
The victim, then aged 17, suffered a single stab wound to his lower back.
The teenager was sentenced to four years behind bars when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, court officials confirmed following the hearing.
Detective Sergeant Mark Lumsden from Gayfield CID said: "Both of these incidents were extremely frightening for the victims and left them with serious injuries.
"The men have shown great courage throughout our investigations and I hope today's sentence will offer them some comfort as they move forward with their lives.
"These were completely unprovoked and unnecessary attacks inflicted by the teenager who had complete disregard for the lives of the victims.
"Any instances of violent crime will not be tolerated and we will continue to work with our partners in the Crown and Procurator Fiscal service to ensure those responsible are brought before the courts."
