Teenager ‘stabbed’ mother ‘repeatedly’ in Edinburgh attack, murder trial hears

A murder jury has seen footage of a mother being repeatedly ‘stabbed’ in Edinburgh.

A 17-year-old boy is accused of murdering Danielle Davidson on Constitution Street in Leith on May 18, 2023.

Prosecutors say he wore a mask over his face and threatened the 33-year-old before stabbing her several times in the head and body.

The boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, has been charged separately with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

He is said to have gone into the closed toilets of Tesco in the capital’s Duke Street “with the aim of changing” his appearance after the alleged murder.

The prosecution alleges that this was done to avoid detection, arrest and prosecution.

Other charges he faces include being in possession of a knife “without lawful authority” on the day of the alleged murder and the following day in Sotton Road.

The teenager pleaded not guilty and entered a special plea at the High Court in Glasgow in self-defence.

Jurors were shown surveillance cameras at the start of the trial, which could last seven days.

The boy and another person – both dressed in black – were seen on electric scooters in the Kirkgate Center area at around 7.45pm.

Ms Davidson and the man were walking in the opposite direction on Duke Street before she appeared to speak to another man on a scooter.

She and another person appeared to be walking along Constitution Street, which runs alongside Duke Street, with the man far behind them.

Lawyers said Ms Davidson was holding “money” or “paper”.

Meanwhile, the boy’s father, who was with another man, was spotted on the phone in a nearby pub.

They were seen quickly leaving the pub and running down Constitution Street towards Ms Davidson and another person.

Footage has emerged showing the boy’s father, the man he was with and the man Ms Davidson was with holding a knife and Ms Davidson talking.

Another person was seen to be at a distance and appeared to be pointed at during the discussion.

A guy wearing a balaclava and carrying a bag was then seen arriving at the scene on his scooter, which he threw to the ground

The man in black, said to be a friend of Ms Davidson, appeared to be carrying a weapon.

The boy was also holding a knife.

A boy and a man were seen protesting with each other on the tram tracks and on the pavement.

During the incident, the boy’s father was standing between them.

The man and Ms Davidson were seen picking up and dropping an electric scooter from the ground during an argument.

Ms. Davidson appeared to have spoken to the boy, who she “showed” or “showed” and he approached her.

Prosecutor John McElroy KC asked Detective Constable Philip Wright if the boy was seen holding onto the woman and he replied: “Yes.”

Mr. McElroy said, “What do you think he’s doing with his right hand?”

Wright replied, “He brought it up.”

Mr McElroy asked: “Was that the right hand that had the knife in it?”

DC Wright replied, “Yes.”

Mr. McElroy asked, “What do you see?”

DC Wright replied, “She’s been stabbed multiple times.”

Mr. McElroy also stated that Ms. Davidson was also punched by the boy.

The footage shows Ms Davidson lying on the tram tracks before sitting up before falling again.

Meanwhile, a scooter can be seen exchanging hands between three men.

The footage then moved to Tesco where the boy went into the ladies room, changed clothes and left the store.

Mr McElroy pointed out to jurors the boy’s “distinctive” trainers, which were said to be “similar” to those worn during the incident.

Footage emerged the next morning showing a guy wearing “special” shoes getting into a white car and driving away.

The trial continues under Lord Arthurson.