Teenager admits murdering John McNab in Leith

John McNab, 22
Author: Paul ReillyPublished 6th May 2026

A 17-year-old boy has admitted fatally stabbing a man in Leith last year.

The teenager - who cannot be named for legal reasons - pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh to killing 22-year-old John McNab on Great Junction Street in September 2025.

Emergency services were called to the junction with Bonnington Road at around 2.10am, where Mr McNab was found seriously injured. He died at the scene.

Police at the scene on Great Junction Street following the fatal stabbing

The youth also admitted seriously assaulting another 17-year-old boy in Portobello earlier the same year.

He’ll be sentenced at a later date.

Following the conviction, Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said an “extreme level of violence” had been used in both incidents.

Police Scotland says more initiatives aimed at tackling youth violence and knife crime in Edinburgh will be introduced in the coming months.

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