The mother of a 16-year-old stabbed to death at school has paid tribute to “our sweet boy” after a teenager was convicted of his killing.
Bailey Gwynne died from a wound to the heart inflicted during a fight at Cults Academy in Aberdeen on October 28 last year.
A youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted of culpable homicide on Monday following a trial at the city’s High Court.
Bailey’s mother Kate Gwynne said in a statement released through Police Scotland: “We will always be immensely proud that Bailey is our son.
“It has always been a true blessing and a privilege to have Bailey, and to share the honour of knowing, raising and loving him.
“That is not something that time or our parting will ever change.”
Bailey was a fifth-year school pupil who was described by teachers ashard-working and well-behaved.
He had recently sat exams and got better results than he expected.
The gym enthusiast lived with his parents and four young brothers.
His mother said: “Whatever the outcome was to be in this trial, nothing will give us back what has been taken and the only thing that we truly want.
“That is something that we as a family must try to live with.
“Our sweet boy with a big dream working hard to make it happen. A boy who was never happier than when chilling out with his friends and his dog after a session in the gym.
“The boy who would carry his brothers to the top on a hill walk when their own legs failed them, who dutifully cut the grass for his dad or rescued his nonna’s shopping, and the boy who would come with me on an evening run just to keep me company in the dark even though he could finish it in half the time.”
Kate Gwynne described her son as a “true gent”.
The statement ended with the words: “With love we hold you in our hearts. Walk tall Bailey-Boy.”
Bailey’s family attended the five-day trial which saw the youth accused of murdering the schoolboy by stabbing him once in the chest.
The jury found him guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide and of two other charges of being in possession of knives and two knuckledusters at Cults Academy on occasions between August 19 2014 and the day of the fatal attack.
He will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on April 1.
Aberdeen City Council is to hold a review into Bailey’s death to identify any lessons that can be learned from the fatal stabbing during what was described as a “trivial” row.
Kate Gwynne thanked all those who provided support to the family, praising the efforts of police, family liaison officers and fiscal staff involved in the prosecution.