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Peter Duncan murder: Teen who stabbed lawyer with screwdriver named as Ewan Ireland after turning 18

BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Northumbria Police undated handout photo of Peter Duncan, 52, from Newcastle, who was fatally stabbed at a shopping centre at Old Eldon Square in the cityand later died in hospital. A 17-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Duncan, a lawyer, last month.
Peter Duncan, 52, was stabbed to death at a shopping centre at Old Eldon Square in Newcastle (Picture: PA)

A teenager who stabbed a solicitor to death at a busy shopping centre with a screwdriver can be named after he turned 18.

Ewan Ireland was on bail for affray when he attacked 52-year-old Peter Duncan at an entrance to the Eldon Square shopping centre in Newcastle.

Ireland pleaded guilty to murder last month, when he was 17, but his identity can be revealed as he turns 18.

Newcastle Crown Court previously heard that Mr Duncan, the in-house lawyer for a multi-national maritime firm was "simply in the wrong place at the wrong time" as he made his way home on August 14.

As he crossed paths with Ireland, Mr Duncan raised his arm to let the teenager past - to which the youth took exception - and a struggle followed in which he was fatally stabbed in the heart with a screwdriver the Ireland had stolen earlier that day. Mr Duncan collapsed near to a Greggs outlet in the busy shopping mall.

Ireland stabbed Peter Duncan at an entrance to the Eldon Square shopping centre in Newcastle (Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Ireland stabbed Peter Duncan at an entrance to the Eldon Square shopping centre in Newcastle (Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

CCTV cameras tracked Ireland’s movements through the city centre and the murder weapon was found later.

The court heard that the teen, from the Westerhope area of Newcastle, was looking for another youth with whom he had fallen out about some cigarettes.

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Ireland, who was already on bail for affray when he killed Mr Duncan, pleaded guilty to murder last month.

The case sparked anger, with many thinking he should have been named as a killer at the time - despite his age.

Ireland previously pleaded guilty to murder at Newcastle Crown Court but couldn't be named because of his age (Picture: PA)
Ireland previously pleaded guilty to murder at Newcastle Crown Court but couldn't be named because of his age (Picture: PA)

At a previous hearing, Newcastle Crown Court heard Ireland had 17 convictions for 31 offences between 2017 and 2019, including an incident where he grabbed a knife during a family argument.

There was also an occasion where the threatened a driver with a blade after he was challenged about drinking alcohol on the bus.

In a statement, Mr 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."

Ireland will be sentenced in December after psychiatric reports are prepared and is currently in custody.

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