Skip to content

Man found guilty of murdering teenager in Edinburgh

Police Scotland Lewis has short brown hair. There are people in the background and a building that looks like a castle.Police Scotland
Lewis was murdered on 12 February 2023 at Viewcraig Street in Edinburgh

A man who stabbed a teenager to death before hiding the knife in the grounds of Holyrood Palace has been found guilty of murder.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard Bailey Dowling, 21, armed himself before meeting 18-year-old Lewis McCartney and his friends in the city's Dumbiedykes area.

Dowling then left Edinburgh for his home in London, where he later handed himself in to police..

He denied murdering Mr McCartney on 12 February 2023 by striking him on the body with a knife and claimed he acted in self defence after he was struck with a bottle.

Alan Simpson Bailey Dowling has dark brown hair and a ginger beard.Alan Simpson
Bailey Dowling travelled to London after the murder before handing himself into police

Dowling was convicted of the crime of murder and unlawful possession of an offensive weapon.

The judge, Lord Matthews, told him: "In your case there is only one sentence I can pass. It is one of life imprisonment."

But he told the first offender he would obtain a background report on him ahead of sentencing.

Advocate depute Alex Prentice KC said it was obvious the victim was a much loved brother and son.

The court heard Dowling, then aged 19, had travelled to Edinburgh to meet up with "a friend of a friend" and they had joined a woman at her flat in the Dumbiedykes area to take the drug ketamine.

Mr McCartney also arrived at the flat with others although they later left and when they returned Dowling went through to the kitchen and got a large knife before going to meet them outside.

Three police vans can be seen in the picture. There is an area taped off and a police officer standing guard at a door of a building.
Police were called to the scene in Viewcraig Street, Edinburgh

During the attack on Mr McCartney he delivered a single blow that penetrated to a depth of more than 10cms.

Dowling claimed he did not intend to harm the victim but was trying to get away after he was hit over the head with a bottle by another member of the group.

Francesca Palma, 21, who lived in the flat, later told police when Dowling returned to her flat he looked panicked.

She said: "The London guy said 'I just stabbed that Lewis'."

She said he had a knife with blood on it.

Dowling, who was on bail, was remanded in custody.

Benjamin Wilson, 20, from Fife, was also convicted of assaulting Dowling by striking him on the head with a bottle to his injury during the incident.

Det Ch Insp George Calder, of Police Scotland, said: "My thoughts remain with Lewis's family and friends as they continue to try to come to terms with what happened. I hope the verdict will bring them some form of justice."