Teen girl detained for life for boy’s murder

A “highly dangerous” teenage girl, who murdered a boy she met just hours earlier by stabbing him in the neck, has been detained for life.

The 17-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons – plunged a blade into Connor Cowper, 18, at a party at a flat in Holytown, Lanarkshire, last April.

A court heard how the girl was pregnant at the time she took Connor’s life – she has since given birth while on remand.

The jury heard claims how Connor had “fancied” the girl – but she kissed another young man that night.

The Crown claimed she “loved being the centre of attention” and was trying to play the two men off against each

“You are a highly dangerous individual”

other. But the girl, who is thought to be among Scotland’s youngest female murderers, exploded when Connor branded her a “stupid wee girl”.

She grabbed a blade and struck Connor being fleeing the scene.

Yesterday at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lord Arthurson ordered the girl to serve at least 16 years.

She had been convicted following a trial last month at Glasgow High Court.

Lord Arthurson had been told by defence advocate Tony Graham QC that the girl had “acknowledged” how her actions had caused “devastation” and had deprived Connor’s family of their loved one.

But the judge said he had doubts about whether this was correct.

He added: “You are a highly dangerous and unstable individual. The attack on Connor was deliberate, brutal, entirely unprovoked and entirely murderous.”