Boy, 14, detained for five years for killing gang rival in row over £50

A 14-year-old boy will be detained for five years over the killing of a gang rival in a dispute over £50.

The attacker stabbed Kory McCrimmon, 16, in the heart after a confrontation in Greenfield Park in Glasgow’s east end on May 31 last year.

The pair had earlier exchanged threats on social media.

The boy, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to culpable homicide while acting under provocation.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, Judge Lord Mullholland outlined factors under the sentencing guidelines for young people that informed his sentencing.

He said he took into account the killer’s age, level of maturity, background, potential for rehabilitation and capacity for change.

In Scotland, prisons do not hold anyone under the age of 18 – with them instead being detained in secure care settings ran by four independent charities.

The accused – who was 13 at the time of the attack – had initially faced an allegation of murder but his KC John Scullion offered a guilty plea to the reduced charge, which was accepted.

Lord Mullholland told the teenager: “If there was ever a case which shows the utter folly of running with a gang, it is this.”

The High Court in Glasgow heard Kory and his killer were known as “rivals”, with both boys being associated with different gangs.

Advocate depute Greg Farrell said the pair had regularly been in touch with each other on Instagram, initially on “good terms” before there was a “falling out” over £50.

The court heard the killer refused to pay Kory back and an argument broke out via social media.

In March, the court heard the killer was refusing to pay Kory back.

Mr Farrell said: “The messages became increasingly acrimonious. There were insults and threats of violence made by both parties to one another.”

The lawyer stated there was a “significant amount of bravado and posturing on both sides” ahead of the planned confrontation and the members of the group were “egging each other on”.

The court heard a large number of boys and girls assembled that night and many had been drinking.

Kory ran at the accused, who was seen clutching a knife.

Mr Farrell then said: “He chased Kory McCrimmon while shouting at him.

“Kory stopped and turned to face him. During the confrontation, the 14-year-old struck out with a knife stabbing Kory once on the chest.”

Kory slumped to the ground while the boy and his associates fled.

The young attacker was seen with injuries to his neck and head.

Emergency services arrived at the scene before Kory was rushed to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

He was found to have a single stab wound to the heart along with major internal bleeding. He also suffered a severe brain injury as a result of being stabbed.

He never recovered and died on June 2.