Bailey Gwynne's teenage killer jailed for nine years

The 16-year-old schoolboy who killed Bailey Gwynne at a school in Scotland has been jailed for nine years, reports The Scotsman.

Gwynne, also 16, was stabbed in the chest at Cults Academy in October. He was rushed to hospital after the attack but later died of his injuries.

His killer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was cleared of murder, but found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide last month.

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The teenager was sentenced to eight years in prison, followed by another year for possession of a knife and a knuckleduster. He will begin serving his sentence at a young offenders institution.

Delivering the sentence in Edinburgh today, judge Lady Stacey said: "Nothing that I can say nor any sentence I can impose will do anything to lessen the grief that Bailey Gwynne's friends and family feel."

The judge added that had he not been carrying a knife, the fight – which initially began over a biscuit – would "certainly not" have led to a loss of life.

"I have decided that an extended sentence is the only appropriate disposal, taking into account all of the circumstances including your age," she said.

Defending the schoolboy, Ian Duguid QC argued that he was genuinely remorseful about his actions and was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Lady Stacey acknowledged this, telling the boy that he had shown "significant regret and understanding of the loss you have caused."

She added: "I hope that will lead to you being both punished and helped towards rehabilitation while you are detained in a structured environment.

"Following your release you will be supervised to maximise the chance of your successful re-integration into society."

Speaking after the teenager was convicted, Gwynne's mother Kate said nothing would bring her son back.

Describing him as "a sweet boy" and a "true gent", she said the family was still struggling to come to terms with what happened to him.

"It has always been a true blessing and a privilege to have Bailey and to share the honour of knowing, raising and loving him," she said.

"That is not something that time or our parting will ever change."