Teenager found guilty of 17-year-old’s murder in Greenock

A TEENAGER was yesterday convicted of murdering a 17-year-old by stabbing him in the back.

Steven McIntyre, 19, was found guilty of murdering Jack Doyle, of Greenock, by striking him on the body with a knife on 3 January in the town.

The High Court at Glasgow heard that the single stab wound went through Mr Doyle’s liver and severed two main blood vessels, and he bled to death.

It was the second time tragedy had struck the Doyle family. The victim’s aunt, Elaine Doyle, was just 16 when she was murdered in 1986. Her partly clothed body was found in a lane yards from her home. She had been strangled.

Elaine’s killer has never been brought to justice, although her death was the subject of a cold case review and featured on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme.

During his trial, McIntyre claimed he had acted in self-
defence. In evidence, he said: “I was terrified and never meant to do it.”

Mr Doyle and his killer met at a party. The court was told the victim had taken a knife with him, tucked into the waistband of his trousers, and that he had “flashed it” a couple of times.

It was alleged during the trial that at one point Mr Doyle left the flat, challenging the occupants to a fight.

Seconds later, he was assaulted by McIntyre’s co-accused, Kevin McIntyre, 28. He was also originally charged with the teenager’s murder, but pled guilty to a reduced charge of assaulting him.

Kevin McIntyre slashed Mr Doyle twice on the right side of his face.

Steven McIntyre then stabbed him once.

Both men will be sentenced later this month, once background reports are available.