Schoolboy 'Possibly Exploited' into Drug Dealing, Murder Trial Told
Amen Teklay, a schoolboy allegedly murdered by two teenagers, was possibly exploited into selling drugs, a trial has heard.
Prosecutors allege that Amen was chased and attacked by two youths, aged 16 and 17—who cannot be named due to their age—before being fatally stabbed with a sword on Glasgow's Clarendon Street in March 2025.
A representative from the charity Action for Children, which supports young people who are victims of exploitation, informed jurors that Amen was referred to their service five or six months prior to his death.
Niamh Gribben, 28, stated there were concerns that the 15-year-old had been exploited into dealing drugs in the community surrounding his school in the Knightswood area.
Concerns Over Drug Dealing and Feud
Gribben told jurors she met with Amen weekly and was attempting to "build a relationship" with him, but concerns persisted that he continued to deal drugs.
She also mentioned an ongoing feud believed to exist between Amen and the 16-year-old accused of the killing.
The witness further explained that Amen associated with a group known as the Kingsway Boys, named after the block of flats called Kingsway.
Jurors previously viewed footage of Amen being attacked by three youths, allegedly including the 16-year-old defendant, on 12 February 2025—less than a month before Amen’s death.
Gribben said she was in the area that day to meet Amen and observed "panic" on his face before the assault occurred on Great Western Road.
The witness added that she helped remove Amen from the scene, noting he had a bloody lip and a swollen nose.
During cross-examination, Brian McConnachie KC, defending the 16-year-old, suggested Amen was "still dealing drugs," to which Gribben agreed.
She recalled the first name of the 16-year-old being mentioned during the Great Western Road attack.
When asked if someone with that name had also been referred to her service, Gribben confirmed that he had been, but that his referral was later withdrawn by social work.
She added that it was believed the 16-year-old was also being exploited.
Third Arrest Following Murder
Amen is said to have been assaulted by the two teenagers in the St George's Cross area of Glasgow on 5 March 2025.
Prosecutors claim the boys brandished a sword and frying pan at Amen and then chased him.
The charge states that Amen was struck with the sword and left with injuries so severe that he died on Clarendon Street.
Amen lived in Glasgow with his father but was originally from Eritrea.
Detective Constable Michelle McLeod, 49, told jurors she arrested a third youth—now 16—two days after Amen's death on suspicion of murder, breach of the peace, assault, and possession of an offensive weapon.
Part of this boy’s police interview was played to the jury, in which he stated that he had been playing football with the two accused on the night in question.
"I said my goodbyes and went home, and I did not witness anything," the boy said.
He claimed that his video doorbell recorded him arriving home at 22:19, while the murder was said to have occurred around 22:15.
The jury was shown crime scene photographs and footage of the two accused on the night of the murder.
At approximately 22:15, the 16 and 17-year-olds were identified together outside a garage in Maryhill.
Two minutes later, footage from the same area showed the 17-year-old running from the direction of Clarendon Street towards St George's Road.
He appeared to throw something over a wall, after which the 16-year-old came into view on an e-scooter, moving in the same direction.
The 16-year-old accused also faces an allegation of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
A special defence of self-defence has been lodged by the 16-year-old.
The trial continues before Judge Lord Colbeck.
- Teenager Amen Teklay stabbed through heart with sword, murder trial told
- Two teenagers on trial for murder of 15-year-old Amen Teklay
