Teenager who killed a solicitor with a screwdriver jailed for life
A teenager who stabbed a lawyer to death with a stolen screwdriver has been jailed for life at Newcastle Crown Court with a minimum term of 15 years.
Ewan Ireland was 17-years-old when he killed Peter Duncan in the Eldon Square shopping centre in Newcastle in August.
Mr Duncan's family urged the judge not to allow Ireland to "devastate any more families."
The 52-year-old had allowed the teenager to pass through a doorway when the two brushed past each other in August this year. Ireland then stabbed Mr Duncan in the heart.
CCTV footage shows Ireland stealing the screwdriver he would use to kill Mr Duncan:
At the time of the attack, Ireland was on bail after pleading guilty to affray. He was also subject to a 12-month conditional discharge for battery and under investigation for robbery.
The teenager had previously appeared in court 17 times for 31 criminal offences.
In an emotional statement read to the court, Mr Duncan's widow said:
Maria Duncan said hearing a doctor say her husband would not survive "[will] haunt me every single day". Mr Duncan's father said his son's death had "created a black hole" in the lives of the entire family.
The court heard that Mr Duncan's 15-year-old son was in Newcastle city centre that evening going to the cinema. He saw the cordoned off area outside the shopping centre without relating it was his father who had been attacked.
Ireland had stolen the screwdriver he used in the attack from a Poundland store earlier that day.
Jane Fairlamb, Detective Chief Inspector at Northumbria Police, said Ewan Ireland was in an "agitated state" when the two "brushed past" one another:
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The teenager turned 18 in October, allowing him to be identified in news reports.
The judge said Ireland's defending started at the age of 14. A psychiatrist for the defence reported Ireland had "severe autism spectrum disorder" and "intermittent explosive anger" which made him unable to control "impulsive or anger based aggressive outbursts."
Detective Chief Inspector Fairlamb said Ewan was "young", but "old enough to be responsible for his actions."
Mr Duncan's family have received a heartfelt letter of condolences from playwright Lee Hall, a school friend of the 52-year-old.
Lee Hall, best known for writing the 2000 film Billy Elliot, described Mr Duncan as an "exceptional person" and an "enduring influence" on his life.