The dad of murdered teen Kayden Moy has blasted Scotland’s “broken youth justice system” claiming teens picked up blades like “picking up house keys”.
Jay Stewart, 19, Cole Turley, 18, and a 15-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons – stabbed Kayden to death at Irvine Beach on May 17 last year.
The trio were jailed for a total of 46 years at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.
View 5 ImagesKillers Jay Stewart and Cole Turley(Image: Police Scotland)
They belonged to the notorious ‘Murray Boys’ blade gang who ran amok and terrorised families in East Kilbride.
Speaking to the Record after the killers were sentenced yesterday, Paul Moy blasted the authorities who allowed the young thugs to prowl the streets until they went on to commit murder.
The 38-year-old said: “The system is completely broken in Scotland.
“These boys terrorised people. They were allowed to roam unfettered, carrying knives for years and they weren’t stopped.
“They picked up a blade to leave the house the way people pick up their house keys or wallets.
“My son had to die before something was done to stop them.”
Cole Turley admitted his role in the murder. He was jailed for a minimum of 16 years in detention.
View 5 ImagesKayden with his dad. (Image: Supplied)
Stewart and the 15-year-old boy were found guilty of murder following a trial last month. They were sentenced to a minimum of 16 years and 14 years, respectively.
The family heard in court that Cole Turley had over 50 convictions and was well known to authorities.
Jay Stewart had also been slapped with a community payback order for carrying a machete just four days before Kayden’s murder.
Paul believes the current systems used by authorities are more favourable for young offenders than their victims.
He said: “As a family we are grateful that justice has been served.
“But youths carrying a knife should be automatically locked up in secure care or a young offenders institution.
“Cole Turley had over 50 convictions so why didn’t they lock him up before?
“It feels like a system that mollycoddles young offenders.
“Social services, youth offending teams and other agencies are involved in this.
“What use is a Children’s Panel if the answer is to let them back out on the streets.
“Kayden’s death should be the catalyst to spark reform of the justice system for young offenders who carry weapons.”
Turley, Stewart and the 15-year-old had been members of the Murray Boys group, while Kayden and others were part of the Himshie group in East Kilbride.
On the day of the attack the teenagers took a train to Irvine after discovering through social media that Kayden and his friends were among a large group of teenagers who had congregated there.
The trio threw rocks “the size of hands” at Kayden and his friends, who went on to confront them at the top of a sand dune.
However Turley then produced a large lockback knife while Stewart held a police-style extendable baton. They pursued Kayden, who was unarmed, causing him to fall to the ground.
Turley plunged the blade into the teen twice – on the body and thigh – before he fled. Stewart brandished his baton and was heard to shout “Murray Boys” and told a witness at the scene “He f***ing deserved it.
They were later caught on camera fleeing the scene and congratulating each other before attempting to hide in a flat in East Kilbride.
View 5 ImagesKayden Moy (Image: Facebook)
Paul slammed the anonymity order automatically granted to Kayden’s youngest killer aged just 15.
He believes his son’s murder is an adult crime and his killer should not receive protection.
He added: “The 15-year-old boy took a life.
“He should not be viewed as a child who needs protection. Everyone should know who he is, he is a danger to society.
“The day after Kayden was murdered his name and picture was everywhere. There was no protection for my son’s identity.
“We have got things seriously mixed up when the victim is the one not being protected.”
The Record previously published images of the “Murray Boys” gang roaming the streets wielding blades and Buckfast bottles.
Shocking images show the killers masked up and posing with weapons.
One photograph shows Jay Stewart – who has his face covered with a checkered scarf – holding Rambo-style machete. He has his arm around the masked-up 15-year-old, who is holding a bottle of Buckfast and a blade.
Kayden’s parents Paul and mum Ashley vowed to do their best to carry on for the sake of their other children.
View 5 ImagesPaul Moy surrounded by friends and family outside court. (Image: Daily Record)
Dad-of-three Paul said: “We got justice through the courts for Kayden but as a family we will never get over it and we have to live with a huge gaping hole in our lives forever now.
“I don’t feel any relief, and Ashley and I are still completely numb.
“The legal process for the families of the victims is incredibly draining. Our hope is that we now have some closure.
“We can get on with rebuilding our lives without Kayden as best we can and bringing up his brothers.”
Carol Eden, Head of Communications and External Affairs, at Victim Support Scotland, said: “Knife crime continues to devastate too many lives in Scotland each year. Countless individuals – families, friends, classmates, and entire communities – are left to deal with the tragic and lasting impact.
“That is why there must be stronger, evidence-based solutions to tackle knife crime, and prevent it from happening in the first place. This includes reviewing the length of knives that are legally allowed to be carried in Scotland, as well as the rollout of bleed control kits, which can help save a life if a person is stabbed. “Our support teams see first-hand the lasting trauma caused by knife crime on the families and loved ones left behind. The people we support tell us that they want to prevent anyone else having to go through the pain and heartbreak they have experienced.”If you or someone you know has been affected by knife crime, or any other type of crime, please know that help is available. Reach out to us through our helpline on 0800 160 1985 or visit our website, victimsupport.scot, to find out how we can support you.”
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