Girl cites alleged assault after stabbing teen boy

A girl has admitted stabbing a teenage boy to death – but only because she feared she was going to be assaulted.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named, struck conner cow per at a flat in Holy town, Lanarkshire, on 2 April this year.

The girl told the High Court in Glasgow yesterday she believed Mr Cowper had “fancied” her.

But the teenager claimed the 18-year-old started arguing with her after she kissed another young man.

The girl then grabbed a knife amid claims Cowper “lunged” at her.

The incident was said to have sparked memories of abuse she suffered at the hands of an ex-boyfriend.

Her QC Tony Graham asked: “On 12 April, what did you think?”

She replied: “I thought he was going to assault me. I thought back to when I was with [her ex partner].”

Mr Graham: “You picked up the knife – why?” The girl: “To defend myself.”

The girl was giving evidence at her trial, where she denies murder.

She told jurors of suffering “weekly violence” in a previous relationship that ended in March.

Prosecutor Mark Mcguire later said the girl’s evidence was “utter nonsense”.

The trial, before Lord Arthurson, continues.