Teenager who murdered Edinburgh man while on bail jailed

A teenager has been jailed for a minimum of 17 years after he murdered a man while on bail after attacking another young person with a knife.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, killed John McNab, 22, with a knife on Great Junction Street in Leith in September 2025.

The stabbing came after the teenager assaulted a 16-year-old boy by slashing him on the back in the Portobello area of the city in March 2025.

He pleaded guilty to murder and assault at a hearing last month, the Crown Office said.

The teenager was given a life sentence and ordered to spend a minimum of 17 years behind bars when he was sentenced at the High Court in Dundee on Thursday, court officials confirmed.

He was on bail at the time of the murder following the earlier incident.

Laura Buchan, legal director with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), warned young people against carrying knives.

She said: “Within Scotland’s prosecution service, we have seen too many cases where young people carrying knives has led to loss of life.

“Families are left devastated and communities can be left living in fear.

“The murder of John McNab shows the serious and tragic harm caused when someone chooses to carry and use a bladed weapon.

“At just 17, the offender now faces time in custody and a lifelong criminal record because of his deliberate actions.

“That cannot compare to the lasting loss suffered by John’s family, and our thoughts remain with them.

“We hope this conviction sends a clear message to young people. Carrying a knife or other bladed weapon is illegal and can have lifelong consequences.

“It can cause serious and lasting harm – to you, your family, your friends and to others.

“COPFS will continue to do all we can to ensure those responsible for this type of crime are held to account.”