A teenager was convicted today of the culpable homicide of 30-year-old Shaun Woodburn.
The 17-year-old was found guilty at Dunfermline High Court of Culpable Homicide following the incident that caused Shaun’s death outside Gladstone’s Public House in Leith in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2017.
He also been convicted of a number of other assaults.
Shaun sustained a fatal head injury following an assault by the 17-year-old. He was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment, however sadly died later that day.
The 17-year-old, along with his friend Mohammed Zakariyah, conducted a campaign of violence throughout Edinburgh on New Year’s Eve and the early hours of New Year’s Day 2017, which culminated in the death of Shaun.
Just before and just after midnight at Warrender Park Road and Bruntsfield Links, the 17-year-old and Mohammed Zakariyah assaulted a number of members of the public, including serious assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and endangerment of the lives of two young males.
Mohammed Zakariyah pled guilty to two assaults and a breach of the peace.
These males and their friends then travelled to the Leith area where the 17-year-old subsequently assaulted a man in Great Junction Street.
Their final act of violence was during an altercation outside Gladstone’s Public House with people leaving the pub, which led to the 17-year-old male inflicting the fatal blow that led to Shaun’s death.
An extensive investigation was launched by Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team into Shaun’s death and the 17-year-old was subsequently charged.
Detective Inspector Stuart Alexander of the Major Investigation Team said: “My thoughts are with Shaun’s family at this traumatic time for them.
“They have had to endure the process of a trial and not only hear horrific details but see some harrowing footage of what happened to their loved one that night.
“He was out celebrating the New Year when his life was sadly taken from him.
“On a night when the majority of the country were out celebrating and having fun to bring in the New Year these boys went on the rampage, committing a significant number of random and unprovoked serious assaults on innocent members of the public in different areas of the city.
“Some of these victims were seriously injured and left with permanent disfigurements. They required hospital and dental treatment and were extremely traumatised by these incidents.
“Shaun’s family have asked me to request that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.
“Police Scotland is committed to bringing these type of offenders to justice and will continue to work tirelessly to prevent people like this bringing fear to our communities.
“I hope that the fact this young man has now been found guilty of culpable homicide and the other assaults can help Shaun’s family have some sort of closure and the other victims and their families can see that justice has been done.”
Shaun Woodburn was a former junior footballer who played for clubs including Bonnyrigg Rose, Newtongrange Star and Whitehill Welfare. He left a partner and young daughter.
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