A 28-year-old man has been convicted of the murder of his friend in Edinburgh’s New Town area.
Kieran Davies  was found guilty of murdering 32-year-old Ashley Hawkins (photographed above) at Edinburgh High Court earlier today.
The men, both from the Barry area of Wales, were staying at a flat in Scotland Street owned by a relative of Ashley’s.
Police were called to the property following a report of a disturbance being received from a neighbour around 5.30am on 2 December 2016.
Officers attended and forced entry to the locked flat, discovering the body of Ashley inside and Kieran Davies (left) partially clothed and bloodied.
Enquiries established that Ashley died after being repeatedly stamped on, kicked and struck to the head and body with a hammer and a metal pole
Detective Inspector Stuart Alexander of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team said: “Davies continued to maintain his innocence throughout the investigation and trial, despite significant evidence of his guilt.

“When officers found him in the flat, he claimed to have no recollection of Ashley’s death and has given no explanation for why he took the life of a friend.

Forensic officers at the Scotland Street address

“Davies subjected Ashley to a brutal and sustained attack and we welcome this conviction. I hope this helps Ashley’s loved ones as they continue to come to terms with their loss.”

Davies is due to be sentenced at Edinburgh High Court on 24 August 2017.

In a statement released through Police Scotland on 6 December 2016, Ashley’s family said: “Our beautiful boy Ashley, we can’t believe that he is gone. He was a loving son, brother and uncle and our hearts are now in pieces. He was helpful to everyone and was loved in his hometown of Barry. He will never be forgotten.”

John Hislop
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John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.

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