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Bailey Gwynne's parents reveal pain at losing 'sweet boy'
'Nothing will give us back what has been taken,' family say in emotional statement.
The family of Bailey Gwynne have said "nothing will ever give them back what has been taken" in an emotional statement following the trial of his killer.
Bailey, who was 16, died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after being stabbed through the heart at Cults Academy on October 28 last year.
His killer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with murder but found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide.
The teenager was also found guilty of separate charges of carrying a knife and knuckledusters following a five-day trial at the High Court in Aberdeen.
On Wednesday, police released a statement on behalf of Bailey's parents.
They said: "Whatever the outcome was to be in this trial nothing will give us back what has been taken and the only thing that we truly want. That is something that we as a family must try to live with.
"Our priority through the time of this trial was to be there for Bailey. That remains our priority along with guiding our sons, his brothers, through this.
"That is inevitably a long road but we will never lose sight of Bailey while walking it.
"We have appreciated greatly the support of all those around us and those close to us, whether it has been practical or emotional."
The statement thanked police, family liaison officers and fiscal staff for "doing their utmost for Bailey".
It added: "We understand in these circumstances why there is press interest to hear a story. But Bailey is not a story. Bailey is our child.
"He is our son, and our heart, our brother, our grandson, our nephew, cousin and our friend and beloved master of Teddy the Pug.
"Our sweet boy with a big dream working hard to make it happen. A boy who was never happier than when chilling out with his friends and his dog after a session in the gym.
"The boy who would carry his brothers to the top on a hill walk when their own legs failed them, who dutifully cut the grass for his dad or rescued his nonna’s shopping and the boy who would come with me on an evening run just to keep me company in the dark even though he could finish it in half the time."
Bailey's parents said they would "always be immensely proud that Bailey is our son".
"We now need time and space to come to terms with what has happened and to continue to care for our family and those dear to Bailey," the statement said.
"Lastly, It has always been a true blessing and a privilege to have Bailey and to share the honour of knowing, raising and loving him.
"That is not something that time or our parting will ever change. Bailey-Bazza, my true gent. With love we hold you in our hearts. Walk tall Bailey-Boy."
Bailey was a fifth-year school pupil who was described by teachers as hard-working and well-behaved.
He had recently sat exams and got better results than he expected.
Bailey's family attended the five-day trial which saw the youth accused of murdering the schoolboy by stabbing him once in the chest.
The jury found him guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide and of two other charges of being in possession of knives and two knuckledusters at Cults Academy on occasions between August 19 2014 and the day of the fatal attack.
He will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on April 1.
Aberdeen City Council is to hold a review into Bailey's death to identify any lessons that can be learned from the fatal stabbing during what was described as a "trivial" row.