Edinburgh crime: Teenager given life sentence for murder of John McNab after stabbing in Leith
John McNab was stabbed and killed in an attack in Leith in September 2025
A teenager has been given a life sentence after he admitted to the murder of 22-year-old John McNab in Leith last year.
The 17-year-old male, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at the High Court in Dundee on Thursday, June 4 where he was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years after stabbing and killing Mr McNab.
The attack took place on the corner of Bonnington Road and Great Junction Street at around 2.10am on Tuesday, September 2.
The 17-year-old also pleaded guilty at the same hearing to slashing another teenager on The Promenade in Portobello on March 21, 2025. The victim sustained an injury on his back and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Laura Buchan, legal director at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), has urged others to think before carrying knives following the tragic incident.
Ms Buchan 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.”
She added: “We hope this conviction sends a clear message to young people. 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.
“COPFS will continue to do all we can to ensure those responsible for this type of crime are held to account.”
Following last month’s conviction, Mr McNab’s mother Lisa Petrie said in a statement that she would “continue to fight in honour of John”.
Lisa, who has led a campaign to ban the sale of knives in supermarkets and advocated for widely accessible bleed kits, said: “My son’s life was taken far too soon in a horrible way, and the pain of his absence will never be healed. No sentence, no ruling will bring him back.
“I have lost my best friend, my beautiful baby boy. However, in his memory, I am still committed to making a difference.”
She added: “I will continue this fight in honor of John. His death will not be in vain. I will keep pushing for these changes until we see a world where no parent has to go through what I am living.”
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait, senior investigating officer, said: “An extreme level of violence was used in these incidents. This kind of behaviour is never acceptable and will not be tolerated. This conviction sends a message to anyone carrying knives that they will be apprehended and dealt with robustly.
“I would like to personally thank the officers who worked on these harrowing investigations and the public who significantly assisted my investigation team.”