Tomb violation youths sentenced

One of the guilty youths, Sonny Devlin, was given three years probation

Two teenagers found guilty of breaking into a tomb in a historic Edinburgh graveyard have escaped jail.

Sonny Devlin, 17, was given three years probation with strict conditions and an unnamed 15-year-old boy was given two years probation.

Judge, Lord Wheatley, said it had been a grotesque and bizarre offence which had caused "universal disgust".

The court had previously heard that the boys had beheaded one of the bodies which had been interred in a tomb.

As well as his probation, Devlin was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid community work.

I am happy with the sentence. Now I just want to get on with the rest of my life Sonny Devlin

The judge added that he hoped that work would be linked to Devlin's offence.

Lord Wheatley told him: "You will well understand that vandalism and violation of graveyards is something that causes universal disgust and revulsion.

"The fact that you were drunk does not in any way excuse what you did."

Devlin and his co-accused, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had denied breaking into the tomb in Edinburgh's Greyfriars Kirkyard.

But they were found guilty of opening the Mackenzie Mausoleum, taking the remains of a body from its coffin, cutting off its head with a pen knife and playing with it.

A visitor to the kirkyard peers into the mausoleum

However, they were acquitted of allegations that they forced open the coffin and simulated oral sex with the severed head.

Devlin was later caught by police after returning to the kirkyard to show off in front of a girl who did not believe his claims about the tomb incident.

The teenagers had been seen running from the tomb - which was also known as the Black Mausoleum.

Lord Wheatley told the younger of the two that he had been found guilty of "a grotesque and bizarre offence."

The judge added: "I want to make it clear that while you may only have been standing by and keeping a look-out, in the eyes of the law you are equally guilty."

In Devlin's defence, lawyer Jim Stephenson told the court that his client was "aware of the serious nature of the offence and has shown some regret".

He added that the 17-year-old was in the early stages of applying for a college placement.

Outside court, Devlin said: "I am happy with the sentence. Now I just want to get on with the rest of my life."