Edinburgh teen detained for murdering mum-of-one after row over e-scooter
The then 16 year-old stabbed Danielle Davidson, 33, with a Rambo-style knife on Constitution Street in May 2023
Last updated 3rd Dec 2024
A teenager who murdered a woman after an apparent row over an e-scooter in Leith has been detained for a minimum 18 years.
The then 16 year-old stabbed Danielle Davidson, who was 33, with a Rambo-style knife on Constitution Street in May 2023.
The attacker - now 17 and cannot be identified due to his age - was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow for what a judge described as an "appalling and cowardly" attack on the innocent mum-of-one.
The teenager had previously pleaded guilty to murdering Miss Davidson in Constitution Street in Edinburgh's Leith on May 18 2023.
It emerged the killer had previously been charged with possession of a knife aged just 11.
The Home Office had also since accepted that he was later "the victim of modern slavery within the UK" involved in drug dealing and other crime from a young age.
A hearing in November heard the details behind the horror attack on Miss Davidson.
The teenager had initially gone to trial before admitting his guilt following shocking footage of the crime being played in court.
He had called Miss Davidson prior to the killing. She then left with a friend called Conlan Carr to meet the boy.
Prosecutor John McElroy KC: "It is understood there was a recent history of antagonism between Carr and the accused."
The young killer and an associate arrived at the scene on scooters.
The teenager's father was also there after getting a call from his son.
The dad initially got into an argument with Carr, who was said to be armed.
The killer then took "a large knife" from the waistband of his trousers and brandished it at Carr.
Mr McElroy: "During the course of this argument, Carr seemed to be attempting to take the accused's scooter."
The teenager's dad tried unsuccessfully calm matters.
His son then, for some reason, decided to turn the knife on Miss Davidson.
Mr McElroy: "She was heard to shout 'I have been stabbed' before collapsing on the tram track."
The row about the scooter briefly continued before the young assailant fled to a nearby Tesco supermarket.
He went into the closed women's toilet and changed his clothes. The boy then got a taxi to elsewhere in Edinburgh.
It was there he telephoned his aunt and uncle to come collect him. They then picked him up in the early hours.
The aunt had alerted police that they were doing this.
The advocate depute: "During this time in their company, the accused made admissions to them such as: 'I have done the crime, so I will do the time'.
"He told his relatives that people had pulled knives on him so he had to defend himself.
"He explained to his uncle that the weapon had had was a big 'Rambo' knife.
"He said that he just started stabbing and that it was a 'stab or be stabbed' situation."
The court heard how Miss Davidson had been rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
She had five "sharp force injuries" including four stab wounds.
The fatal blow was to the back which had gone into her chest and punctured a lung.
Miss Davidson tragically did not recover. She had her own home in the capital, but often lived with her father. She is also survived by one child.
The court heard last month how the killer initially believed he had been "set up" to be attacked that night.
But, there was no evidence to suggest Miss Davidson was involved in this or aware there would be any assault on the boy.
Iain McSporran KC, defending, today/yesterday said the mum had "lost her life in an utterly senseless attack".
He added: "She was an entirely innocent victim in this dreadful crime."
Mr McSporran stated the boy had been asked why he turned on Miss Davidson and not the other individual with her said to have been armed.
The solicitor advocate: "That is a question he cannot answer."
The court heard today/yesterday how the teenager had faced a number of charges through the years - including fire-raising, drugs, serious assault and vandalism.
These had all been referred to the Children's Reporter to be dealt with.
He had been made subject of a compulsory supervision order eight days before the killing.
Lord Arthurson today/yesterday ordered he be detained without limit of time.
The judge: "This was an appalling and cowardly attack on a vulnerable and defenceless young mother in a public street in broad daylight in full public view of witnesses.
"You, having inflicted devastating wounds on the victim, sought to escaoe leaving her dying on the roadway.
"She was tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time - in close proximity to you while you were intoxicated by drugs and armed with a large, lethal bladed weapon."