Watchdog investigates police actions leading up to boy's death

Amen Teklay died after being found injured in a Glasgow street

The police watchdog is conducting an investigation into police decision-making and actions leading up to the death of 15-year-old Amen Teklay.

Amen was killed in a sword attack on Clarendon Street in St George's Cross in Glasgow on 5 March. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, deny his murder.

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

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) has confirmed to the BBC it has launched an investigation.

Details of Amen's death were revealed during a recent hearing at the High Court in Glasgow, where a trial date was set for June next year.

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

Police are being investigated over their decision-making and actions leading up to Amen's death

During the hearing, Judge Lord Scott asked 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.

It was also claimed in court that the 15-year-old boy was "threatening and abusive" to Amen three days before he was killed, 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.

A spokesperson for Pirc said: "We are conducting an investigation into police decision making and actions leading up to the death of Amen Teklay, aged 15, on 5 March in Clarendon Street, Glasgow.

"A report will be submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service on conclusion of our investigation.

"It would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage while legal proceedings are ongoing."

During the hearing on 10 October, Brian McConnachie KC, defending the 15-year-old, lodged a special defence for his client of self-defence for the murder charge.

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".

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

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