Teenagers to stand trial accused of murdering boy with sword

Amen Teklay died after being found injured in a Glasgow street

Two teenagers are to stand trial accused of the murder of a 15-year-old boy in a sword attack in a Glasgow street.

Amen Teklay died after being found seriously injured on Clarendon Street in St George's Cross on 5 March. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, deny his murder.

It is alleged that the masked pair, who cannot be named due to their age, chased and attacked Amen with a sword and frying pan.

Details of the incident were revealed at a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow, where a trial date was set for June next year.

Amen, who was originally from Eritrea, had been living in Glasgow with his father for a number of years.

The attack is said to have occurred after previous incidents where the 15-year-old boy clashed with Amen.

It is claimed that the boy was "threatening and abusive" to Amen three days earlier, by brandishing a sword and metal barrier and shouting and swearing.

Prosecutors also said he and two others had attacked Amen on Great Western Road in Glasgow on 12 February.

Police investigated the attack in the St George's Cross area of Glasgow

Brian McConnachie KC, defending the 15-year-old, and Iain McSporran KC, defending the 16-year-old, both pleaded not guilty for their clients.

Mr McConnachie lodged a special defence for his client of self-defence for the murder charge.

He was also asked by Judge Lord Scott about an 'Osman' threat to life warning - although no further details were given at the hearing.

An Osman warning is a police notification that officers have credible information that a person's life is in danger.

Bloodstained top

Mr McConnachie said: "You will see that various charges don't take place on the same day and it is over a period of time.

"There is a significant background between my client and the deceased about a variety of matters."

The 15-year-old boy also faces an accusation of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

It is claimed he discarded a sword and dumped tracksuit bottoms and a bloodstained top he had been wearing.

Court papers state this was all done in a bid to avoid "detection, arrest and prosecution".

A memorial service was held for Amen in Glasgow's Kinning Park Parish Church after his death, with his body flown to Ethiopia for a full funeral.

Lord Scott fixed a trial date of June 2026.