'˜Trouble followed youth' on Shaun Woodburn murder charge

Former Bonnyrigg Rose player Shaun Woodburn.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has already admitted assaulting five other people on Hogmanay and the early hours of New Year’s Day on the streets of Edinburgh.

These include a man who told the trial he wished the youth ‘Happy New Year’ and was punched in the face, suffering multiple fractures.

In his closing address, advocate depute Tim Niven-Smith said, “Trouble had been following this young man around that night from 11.55pm until around 2am.

“Trouble was following him about because he was being aggressive and he was up for a fight.”

The youth has admitted he carried out five other assaults in Edinburgh that night but denies the murder at the High Court in Dunfermline.

In his address to the jury, Mr Niven-Smith made a blistering attack on Steven Swanson, who was a Crown witness.

He said that Mr Swanson, cousin of Hibs footballer Danny Swanson, had “escalated the situation” on the night of the tragedy.

He had spent the night in the bar with family members and Mr Woodburn, a friend since they were youngsters.

CCTV showed Steven Swanson becoming involved in an altercation in Great Junction Street. He then returned to the pub, grabbed two pool cues and called on customers to follow him out into the street.

“Morally he could be sitting in the dock,” said Mr Niven-Smith.

The prosecutor was also critical of the evidence of Steven’s uncle, Peter Swanson, co-owner of the pub.

“At times he was vague and evasive. Of course he had an agenda. He didn’t want to name anybody.”

Peter Swanson had followed Steven out of the pub when he had the pool cues.

However, Mr Niven-Smith said of Peter Swanson, “Don’t rush to think that everything he said was a lie because of his demeanour.”