Apprentice painter and decorator, Kayden Moy, from East Kilbride, was fatally stabbed while dozens of young witnesses looked on.

Medics battled to save Kayden on Irvine beach, and he was rushed to Crosshouse Hospital but succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of the morning.

Cole Turley, 18, had pled guilty to murder as trial proceedings got underway in May. 

But prosecutors proved that his two associates were equally responsible. At the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Turley, along with Jay Stewart, 18, and a 15-year-old who cannot be named due to his age, were given life sentences.

Turley and Stewart must serve a minimum of 16 years in custody, while the 15-year-old was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years.

Prosecutors told the High Court in Glasgow that the accused were affiliated to a gang from East Kilbride while Kayden Moy was connected to a rival group.

On May 17 last year, the attackers 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 three had armed themselves with a lock-back knife and a cosh hidden in clothes and a backpack.

They then threw rocks at the young people on the beach, shouted abuse and brandished weapons before targeting Kayden, chasing him until he fell and then stabbing him repeatedly.

The attackers took a taxi back to East Kilbride, hid their weapons, changed clothes and tried to evade detection.

Procurator fiscal Moira Orr said: “Many young witnesses had to give evidence. Ten chose to do so remotely and their important evidence was taken ahead of the trial by commissioner in a special video recording suite.

“The crucial information they gave helped prosecutors ensure the three killers were held to account.”