Teenagers guilty of murdering 16-year-old Kayden Moy in beach attack

Police Scotland

Two teenagers have been found guilty of murdering a 16-year-old boy after a row between rival groups on a beach in Ayrshire last year.

Jay Stewart, 18, and a 15-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons – stabbed Kayden Moy on Irvine Beach on 17 May 2025.

A third teenager, 18-year-old Cole Turley, had pleaded guilty to the murder before the trial began at the High Court in Glasgow.

After the verdict, Moy’s parents paid tribute to their “amazing, caring boy” and said he would “forever be missed”.

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The jury unanimously found Stewart guilty, but were divided on the 15-year-old.

The court heard that Stewart and the 15-year-old – while acting with Turley – chased Moy and repeatedly stabbed him with a lock knife after he fell to the ground.

The three were seen on CCTV hugging and shaking hands minutes after the attack.

Prosecutor Liam Ewing KC said “those were the actions of those who have accomplished what they came to do”.

COPFS

The attackers were members of the Murray Boys gang from East Kilbride, while Moy was a member of the rival Himshie group.

The trio had travelled to Irvine beach after a fight between the groups earlier that day.

Stewart, who was also armed with an extendable baton, had previously made threats towards Moy on social media.

The boys threw rocks at Moy and his friends – which prosecutors said was intended to draw them into a fight.

Police Scotland

The court heard that Moy – who was unarmed – tried to run after he saw the weapons but slipped and was stabbed by Turley.

He died in hospital later that night.

After the stabbing, which led to scenes of chaos on the beach, the trio took a taxi back to East Kilbride.

They entered the home of 19-year-old Fraser Wallace, who was friendly with Turley.

Wallace gave evidence during the trial, saying he was told by the 15-year-old that he had passed the murder weapon to Turley before the stabbing.

Kayden Moy’s family were emotional as the guilty verdicts were read out in court.

In a statement, his parents Paul and Ashley, said: “Kayden was an amazing, caring boy who lit up every room he walked into.

“He brought happiness to everyone around him. Every morning we wake up and are faced again with the reality that he is gone.

“We will never hear his laugh again, never see his smile, never watch him achieve the goals he worked so hard for.

“He was loved beyond measure and will forever be missed.”

Police Scotland officers spoke to more than 600 people and noted 240 statements as part of the investigation into Moy’s murder.

Det Ch Insp Campbell Jackson, the senior investigating officer in the case, said the verdict would never be able to compensate for the death.

He added: “It won’t ease the heartache his family and friends must feel every single day.

“My thoughts very much remain with Kayden’s parents, brothers and his family and friends for their devastating loss. However, I do hope that they find some comfort in seeing justice being done.

“Kayden’s death highlights the devastating impact of knife crime, not only on individuals, but for families and our wider communities.”

Turley, Stewart and the 15-year-old are due to be sentenced next month.

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