Key Points
- Three teenagers sentenced: Jay Stewart (then 18, now 19), Cole Turley (18), and a 15-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.
- Charges and pleas: Cole Turley admitted to the murder of 16-year-old Kayden Moy, while Jay Stewart and the 15-year-old were found guilty of murder following a trial.
- The incident: The fatal attack took place on May 17, 2025, at Irvine beach in North Ayrshire after a confrontation between rival groups—the Murray Boys and the Himshie group.
- Sentences handed down: Lord Scott sentenced Stewart and Turley to a minimum of 16 years in detention, and the 15-year-old to a minimum of 14 years.
- Family reaction: Kayden’s father, Paul Moy, released a poignant statement emphasizing that the ruling was about accountability and ensuring his son’s memory lives on, noting that no sentence could fill the emptiness left behind.
Glasgow (Oxford Daily) July 21, 2026 — Three teenagers responsible for the brutal gang knife attack that claimed the life of 16-year-old Kayden Moy on a North Ayrshire beach have been handed life sentences with strict minimum terms.
Why Were the Teenagers Sentenced to Life Imprisonment?
According to reporting by the PA news agency and syndicated across regional titles such as the Oxford Mail, Lord Scott detailed the severity of the crime during Tuesday’s sentencing hearing. As reported by the Oxford Mail, Lord Scott told the defendants that they had gone to the beach that day with the clear intention of carrying out an attack, stating:
“Two of you took weapons including, in the case of Cole Turley, the knife with which Kayden Moy was stabbed.”
The judge further condemned the attackers’ absolute disregard for human life, adding,
“You didn’t care whether Kayden lived or died.”
Consequently, Lord Scott ordered both Jay Stewart and Cole Turley to serve a minimum of 16 years in detention before they can even be considered for parole, while the 15-year-old accomplice received a minimum term of 14 years.
How Did the Fatal Confrontation at Irvine Beach Unfold?
Detailed testimonies provided during the high-profile trial painted a grim picture of the events leading up to the tragedy. As covered extensively by legal correspondents and local media outlets like the Glasgow Times and Inkl, the violence erupted after members of rival local factions crossed paths. All three offenders were linked to the “Murray Boys” group, whereas Kayden Moy and his associates belonged to the “Himshie” group hailing from East Kilbride.
The court heard that shortly before the physical confrontation escalated, Turley, Stewart, and the 15-year-old boy positioned themselves atop a sand dune, aggressively throwing rocks at people relaxing on the beach below. Kayden’s girlfriend, Keryn Knox, testified that she and Kayden were preparing to leave the area at approximately 6:00 PM when the missiles began raining down.
As reported by the Oxford Mail and Peterborough Matters, Ms Knox recounted the harrowing moments on the stand:
“I went up with him to try and stop him. At that point he had run up the hill and he was just shouting stuff back.”
She added:
“Then Cole ran in from the side and Kayden has seen a blade and when he tried to run he slipped, and when he tried to get back up Cole has stabbed him in his left lower side twice.”
Describing the immediate aftermath and the catastrophic nature of the injuries, Ms Knox stated:
“His body turned completely white and his limbs were blue and people were crowding round him, trying to put his T-shirt over the wound.”
Another witness at the trial corroborated that Stewart was carrying an extendable baton, noting that after the stabbing occurred, the group fled the immediate vicinity before regrouping.
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What Arguments Were Presented by the Defence?
During the trial at the High Court in Glasgow, legal representation for the co-accused attempted to distance their clients from the fatal knife wounds inflicted by Turley.
Donald Findlay KC, acting as defense counsel for Jay Stewart, strongly urged the jury to acquit his client, maintaining that there was “not a scrap of evidence” linking Stewart to the physical killing. As detailed by the Oxford Mail, Mr Findlay stated during his closing speech:
“The one thing we know beyond a shadow of doubt is that Jay Stewart did not lay a finger on Kayden Moy.”
He argued that Stewart was not within yards of the victim when the stabbing took place, possessed no forensic connection to the knife, and had no prior knowledge that Turley would suddenly escalate a routine territorial shouting match by producing a weapon.
Similarly, Ian Duguid KC, representing the 15-year-old defendant, emphasized his client’s youth and lack of foresight regarding a lethal outcome. Mr Duguid pointed to witness testimonies suggesting the younger boy anticipated nothing more than a standard fist-fight between the rival groups, arguing that the teenager could not have reasonably anticipated or planned a murder.
Despite these robust legal arguments, the jury rejected the special defences of incrimination and found both Stewart and the 15-year-old guilty of murder on the basis of acting in concert with Turley.
How Has Kayden Moy’s Family Responded to the Verdict?
The emotional toll of the tragedy has left an indelible mark on Kayden’s family and community. Following the conclusion of the legal proceedings, a heartfelt victim impact statement was read aloud, expressing profound grief. As quoted by national media outlets, the family shared that Kayden was
“loved beyond measure, and he will be missed for the rest of our lives.”
In an additional social media statement published ahead of the sentencing hearing, Kayden’s father, Paul Moy, reflected on the pursuit of justice rather than closure. As reported by the Oxford Mail, Paul Moy stated:
“Nothing that happens in that courtroom will ever bring our son back. No sentence can fill the emptiness, the heartbreak, or the lifetime of memories we’ve been robbed of.”
He emphasized:
“Tomorrow is not about closure, because there is no such thing when you lose a child. It is about justice, accountability, and making sure my son’s life is remembered. Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever my son.”
