Life sentence for teenager who stabbed man to death in Edinburgh while on bail for slashing another victim

A teenager has been jailed for at least 17 years after he stabbed a man to death just months after slashing another victim with a knife.

The 17-year-old killer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, murdered John McNab, 22, outside a block of flats in Edinburgh in September 2025.

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

The teen pleaded guilty to murder, and assault to severe injury during a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh last month.

At the High Court in Dundee on Thursday, he was handed a life sentence with at least 17 years behind bars.

The teenager was on bail following the earlier attack at the time of the murder.

Laura Buchan, legal director with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), warned that carrying knives is blighting communities and destroying young lives.

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."

Read more from Sky News:
The Scot accused of running a global criminal empire
Don't speculate about teen's murder police watchdog urges

Ms Buchan said she hopes the conviction sends a "clear message" to young people.

She added: "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."

(c) Sky News 2026: Life sentence for teenager who stabbed man to death in Edinburgh while on bail for