Masked teenager brutally stabbed Edinburgh mum to death in broad daylight attack
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A masked teenager brutally murdered a mum by repeatedly stabbing her in broad daylight.
A 17-year-old boy killed Danielle Davidson in Constitution Street in Leith, Edinburgh, on May 18 2023.
The thug made threats to the 33-year-old victim before repeatedly stabbing her on the head and body with a knife.
He then fled into a nearby Tesco supermarket where he entered a closed women's toilets to change his clothing.
The boy initially stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow stabbed with the murder of the woman.
The boy - who cannot be named due to his age - had lodged a special defence of self-defence.
However, the boy pled guilty after CCTV footage of the murder was played to the jury at the beginning of the trial which was due to last around seven days.
Prosecutor Iain McSporran KC told the trial: "From speaking to him when the court rose, he acknowledges there was no prospect of self-defence which could be put forward."
The footage showed the boy and another person - both dressed in black - on electric scooters on Duke Street around 7.45pm.
Miss Davidson and a Conlan Carr walked in the opposite direction on Duke Street before she spoke to the other person on the scooter.
She and the other person walked down Constitution Street which runs beside Duke Street with Mr Carr following far behind them.
Miss Davidson was stated by lawyers to have "money" or "paper" in her hand.
Meantime, the boy's father - who was with a Steven Warns - was seen to be in a phone conversation in a nearby pub.
They quickly left the pub and ran down Constitution Street towards Miss Davidson and the other person.
Footage showed the boy’s father, Mr Warns, Mr Carr -who was holding a knife - and Miss Davidson having a discussion.
The other person on the scooter was noted to be a distance away and appeared to be pointed at during the discussion.
The boy wearing a balaclava and carrying a bag then arrived at the scene on his scooter which he dropped to the ground.
Footage showed that Mr Carr still had a knife in his hand.
The boy also produced a knife in his hand.
The boy and Mr Carr remonstrated with each other on the tramlines and the pavement.
During the incident, the boy’s father stood between them both and appeared to "usher" his son away.
The boy's electric scooter was seen to be pulled from the ground and dropped by Mr Carr and Miss Davidson during the altercation.
Miss Davidson appeared to speak to the boy who she "motioned" or "pointed" at and he went towards her.
Prosecutor John McElroy KC asked detective constable Philip Wright, 43, if the boy was seen to hold on to the woman and he replied: “Yes.”
Mr McElroy: “What do you see him doing with his right hand?”
DC Wright: “He raised it up.”
Mr McElroy: “This was the right hand which had a knife in it?”
DC Wright: “Yes.”
Mr McElroy: “What do you see?”
DC Wright: “She is getting stabbed repeatedly.”
Mr McElroy also stated that Miss Davidson was also punched by the boy.
The footage showed Miss Davidson lying on the tramlines before she sat up briefly and then fell back down again.
Meantime, the scooter was seen to exchange hands between Mr Warns, the boy's father and Mr Carr.
Mr Carr then tended to Miss Davidson before members of the public arrived to assist.
The footage then skipped to a Tesco where the boy entered a women's toilets where he changed his clothing and exited the store.
Mr McElroy pointed jurors to the boy's "particular" trainers which were said to be "similar" to the ones worn during the incident.
Footage from the following early morning appeared to show the boy wearing the "particular" shoes enter a white car and drive off.
Miss Davidson was rushed to hospital with serious injuries but later died.
Tributes were paid to Miss Davidson on social media after her death.
John Shortel Davidson said on Facebook: “My beautiful Danielle Davidson, I am broken!
“Life's so cruel. You were a fighter, you don't deserve this.
“Not everyone understood you and that made you unique – but those in your life did.
“Now you’re gone. My auntie Jackie has got you under her wings.”
A friend of Danielle’s said: “No words for the tragedy unfolding in this life if I’m honest!
“My heart has shattered this morning!
“You were a girl with a huge heart great banter, just the right amount of rajness and didn’t really care what people thought!
“You were always the most uplifting and supportive friend to me through my highs and lows.”
Mr McElroy told the court after the plea was tendered that a full narrative of the facts will be heard on Monday.
Judge Lord Arthurson remanded the boy in custody meantime.
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