The murderer of Newcastle family man and lawyer Peter Duncan can be named for the first time today.
Ewan Ireland, pictured above, was 17-years-old when he stabbed Mr Duncan with a screwdriver in the Old Eldon Square area of Newcastle city centre on 14th August 2019. Mr Duncan was walking home after a long day at work when he accidentally made contact with Ireland as they passed together through a door.
Ireland, who had stolen the screwdriver earlier that day, took exception to the chance encounter and inflicted the single fatal blow, piercing Mr Duncan's heart. The 52-year-old victim was rushed to the city's Royal Victoria Infirmary, but died of his injuries shortly afterwards.
Ireland pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Duncan when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court on 16th September 2019.
Until now an order under section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 has prevented the naming of Ewan Ireland. Given his earlier guilty plea, that order automatically expires today on his 18th birthday.
Despite his tender years Ireland, of West Avenue, Westerhope, Newcastle, already had 17 previous convictions relating to 31 offences at the time he murdered Mr Duncan.
One of those convictions stems from an incident when Ireland threatened a bus driver with a knife. Another relates to Ireland pulling a knife on a family member and chasing them down the street. The former Newcastle United Academy player was thrown out of a previous football team when he was caught with a knife at a training session.
Ireland was on bail for affray at the time he killed Mr Duncan.
Ireland is currently remanded in custody.
He will be sentenced in December 2019, on the completion of psychiatric reports.
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