Teenager admits killing Aberdeen schoolboy Bailey Gwynne

Bailey Gwynne, 16, who died after being stabbed by another teenager at Cults Academy in Aberdeen. Picture: PA

The youth – who cannot be named for legal reasons – today faced a charge of murdering Bailey, 16, at Aberdeen’s Cults Academy on October 28 last year.

His lawyer David Moggach entered a guilty plea to the reduced allegation of culpable homicide during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

But, prosecutor Alex Prentice QC said: “The Crown declines to accept that offer of guilty to the culpable homicide charge and will proceed to the murder charge.”

It means the 16 year-old will appear at the High Court in Aberdeen next week to stand trial for murder, which he denies.

The teenager - who appeared in the dock today wearing a grey sweater and denims - also faces two other charges.

He is alleged to have had knives or “bladed instruments” as well as two knuckledusters at a school “without reasonable excuse or lawful authority”.

These two offences are said to have occurred on “various occasions” between August 1 2013 and the day of the alleged murder.

He also denies these accusations.

The hearing was told up to 16 child witnesses could give evidence.

Judge Lady Scott set a trial due to start on March 1. The case could last up to five days.

Scottish heritage: for stories on Scotland’s people, places and history >>