Teenager who murdered lawyer in screwdriver stabbing to be sentenced

On Tuesday, December 17, Ewan Ireland will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court. He can now be named as he turned 18-years old in October.

He was just 17 when he attacked 52-year-old Peter Duncan at Newcastle's Eldon Square shopping centre in August this year.

Devoted father Peter Duncan suffered a fatal chest wound as he walked into Eldon Square on August 18 after being stabbed by a screwdriver Ireland had just shoplifted.

Mr Duncan, was an in-house lawyer for an international maritime firm.

After the attack, which caused shock across the North East, Peter managed to walk a short distance into the shopping centre before he collapsed to the floor.

At a previous hearing, it was heard that Mr Duncan was "simply in the wrong place at the wrong time" when he crossed paths with the teenager.

The day after the incident, in a statement, Peter Duncan's family said: "Peter was a kind and caring man who was always first to help others.

"He was a devoted father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend and loved by all who knew him. His death will leave such a huge hole in our lives and he'll be deeply missed by us all.

"Words can't quite describe what life will be like without him.

"He had so much of his life left to live and he'll be in our hearts and thoughts every day."

The case was adjourned after Ireland admitted murder to allow psychiatric and psychological reports to be prepared.

After he pleaded guilty, it was heard that Ireland was a serial youth offender who continued to commit crimes despite being on bail for affray.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the teenager had 17 convictions for 31 offences between 2017 and 2019, including an incident where he grabbed a knife during an argument and another where the threatened a driver with a blade after he was challenged about drinking alcohol on a bus.