Man admits murder bid on two teenagers near beach

A 22-year-old man has admitted attempting to murder two teenagers near Portobello beach in Edinburgh.

Amar Mudawi pleaded guilty to carrying out the stabbings at Portobello Promenade and Mentone Avenue on 12 April 2025.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard the attacks were captured on CCTV and a ring doorbell camera.

Sentencing will take place on 14 January once background reports have been prepared.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Mudawi, who lived in Portobello, had pulled up in a car accompanied by four others.

CCTV showed him walking purposefully to the promenade where he confronted an 18-year-old.

The teenager then backed away and a 17-year-old stepped in to defend him.

The 17-year-old punched Mudawi who then struck him on the neck with a bladed instrument.

The 18-year-old ran to a property on the neighbouring Mentone Avenue to ask for help.

When he rang the doorbell it activated a camera which captured video and sound of what happened next.

Mudawi arrived and repeatedly stabbed him on the head and neck with a pair of scissors.

Mudawi could be heard saying "this is what thieves get."

The victims were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.

The 17-year-old suffered a superficial stab wound to his neck, however doctors said the blade had missed his jugular vein by millimetres. He has been left with a one-inch (2.5cms) scar and suffers from PTSD.

He told police he did not know his attacker and the incident had come out of the blue.

The 18-year-old had two wounds on his head, another on his neck and fractured his left wrist. He refused to provide a statement to police.

The defence offered nothing in mitigation.

The court was also told that Mudawi was on bail at the time of the attacks.

He is still due to appear in court in relation to separate drugs charges.