A notorious Edinburgh prisoner said he was “going through a hard time” after being found with a phone and knife behind bars.

Darren Cornelius, who was once dubbed ‘Scotland’s most dangerous teen’, pleaded guilty to two charges at Edinburgh Sheriff Court despite initially tendering a not guilty plea.

The 35-year-old was found in possession of a mobile phone and a bladed article, namely a knife, at the Saughton nick in October 2024 “without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.”

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The case, which called for sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, April 23, was adjourned and Cornelius was not present.

Court papers revealed how Cornelius admitted having the items and said he was “going through a hard time” when asked for an explanation.

In 2023 it was reported how thug, who abducted and stabbed a girl when he was just 11-years-old, won the backing of gangster Mark Richardson after he slashed hitman Marcelo Pacitti at HMP Edinburgh in 2018.

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Cornelius was sent to a young offenders institution aged 11 for stabbing a girl of nine in the Edinburgh in 2000. The brute was then handed a life term for a random knife attack in the capital’s Bruntsfield in 2007.

In 2022 we reported how he was handed an extra 16-month sentence for stabbing two prison officers in a row over his dinner.

Cornelius lashed out at prison guards as his evening meal was being served at his cell in HMP Shotts, Lanarkshire. He flew into a rage over the delivery of the food and produced a ‘small white’ blade from his pocket.

Four officers immediately drew their batons for protection but he stabbed Andrew Phillips on the left side of his body causing a 1cm puncture mark near his rib cage.

Cornelius admitted having an article which had a blade or was sharply pointed, namely a knife, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse at HMP Edinburgh on October 7, 2024. He also admitted being in possession of a personal communication device, namely a mobile telephone, on the same day.

Cornelius is due to be sentenced next month at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.