A north-east teenager has admitted killing Cults Academy pupil Bailey Gwynne.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in open court for the first time this morning before judge Lady Scott at a preliminary hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.
The youth is accused of engaging in a fight with Bailey on the premises of Cults Academy before murdering him by striking him on the body with a knife.
This morning the youth admitted a charge of culpable homicide – but denied murdering Bailey.
He is also charged with being in possession of a “bladed” weapon and “two knuckledusters” while on the grounds of a school.
He denies these charges. The Crown did not accept his pleas and he will go on trial next week at the High Court in Aberdeen.
Last year the 16-year-old appeared twice at Aberdeen Sheriff Court in private and made no plea to the charges against him.
He has been remanded at the Polmont Young Offenders Institution since then.
Bailey was found seriously injured at the school on October 28.
Despite desperate efforts by teachers, paramedics and medical teams to save him, the 16-year-old later died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
His death certificate revealed he had suffered a “penetrating sharp force injury to his chest”.
Cults Academy was closed for two days following the incident as police carried out investigations.
After the pupils returned to classes, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Aberdeen’s town house to discuss the tragedy and the local response to it.
Following the meeting Ms Sturgeon announced she was refusing to rule out the introduction of metal detectors at Scotland’s schools. However, she insisted she did not want children and staff “surrounded by security”.
Bailey lived with his mother Kate Gwynne, 33, her partner John Henderson and his four younger brothers at Maryculter in Aberdeenshire.
In a statement Ms Gwynne said: “There are no words. Bailey is our beloved boy and our heart. Our hearts have gone with him.”