Dundee siblings at centre of viral knife-video case to appeal sentences

Brother challenges addition to sex offenders register after assault convictions

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

A brother and sister convicted over an attack on two girls in Dundee, an incident that became a viral video after Elon Musk highlighted it, are to appeal their sentences. Ilia Belov, 23, was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work, placed under supervision and put on the sex offenders register for 18 months. His sister Nadjedzha Belova, 20, was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work after admitting assaulting another girl.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) confirmed that an appeal against the sentences had been lodged. Belov's solicitor, Larry Flynn, told BBC Scotland News the appeal would focus on his client's addition to the sex offenders register rather than the supervision or unpaid work order.

The case stems from an incident in the Lochee area of Dundee in which the two girls were assaulted. The trial heard that Belov said "hello sexy, I'll show you a good time" to the girls as he walked past them. After one of the girls called him a creep, he returned to confront the group and called his sister, who arrived shortly afterwards and assaulted one of the girls.

Belov claimed he had seen the girl's weapon and, fearing for his sister, pushed her. He also claimed the children had called him a migrant and used an expletive. Sheriff Niven-Smith rejected Belov's claim of self-defence and said the girls' evidence had been "eloquent."

The attack drew international attention after a video of one of the child victims holding an axe and knife circulated widely. Elon Musk highlighted the footage and criticised her arrest for "trying to defend herself."

Belov was convicted in June of assaulting a 12-year-old girl and uttering sexual remarks to the girl and her friends, and the siblings were sentenced earlier this month.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The appeal will test whether the sex offenders register listing was proportionate to the offence.
The case gained international attention after Elon Musk commented on the arrest of the child seen holding weapons.
It raises questions about how courts weigh self-defence claims against viral representations of an incident.

Background

The incident took place in the Lochee area of Dundee. Belov was convicted in June of assaulting a 12-year-old girl and uttering sexual remarks, while his sister pleaded guilty to assaulting another girl in the group. They were sentenced in October, several months after a video of the child victim holding an axe and knife was posted online and amplified by Elon Musk.

Key Perspectives

The Belovs' solicitor, Larry Flynn: The appeal will focus on Ilia Belov's addition to the sex offenders register rather than the supervision order or unpaid work requirement. Sheriff Niven-Smith: Rejected Belov's self-defence claim at trial and said the girls' evidence had been "eloquent." Elon Musk: Publicly criticised the child's arrest, saying she was "trying to defend herself," a comment that helped the case go viral and shaped public debate about it.

What to Watch

The specific grounds of the appeal lodged with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.
Whether the appeal court alters the sex offenders register order or any other part of the sentences.
Further public commentary on the case, given its viral history and the involvement of a high-profile commentator.

Sources

Siblings at centre of Dundee knife girl video to appeal sentences · BBC Scotland
Siblings at centre of Dundee knife girl video to appeal sentences · BBC Scotland

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedDundee siblings at the centre of the viral knife-video case are appealing their sentences.BBC Scotland: “A brother and sister who assaulted two girls in Dundee in an incident that saw one of their victims brandishing an axe and knife in a viral video are to appeal their sentences.”
Partly supportedThe incident became a viral video after Elon Musk highlighted it.BBC Scotland: “A video of the child holding the weapons was highlighted at the time by Elon Musk”
Not in the sourcesThe attack drew international attention.
SupportedIlia Belov and his sister are to appeal their sentences.BBC Scotland: “The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) confirmed that an appeal against the sentences had been lodged.”
SupportedBelov said, “hello sexy, I'll show you a good time” to the girls as he walked past.BBC Scotland: “The trial heard that Belov had said “hello sexy, I'll show you a good time” to the girls while walking past them in the Lochee area of the city.”
SupportedElon Musk criticised the girl's arrest for “trying to defend herself.”BBC Scotland: “A video of the child holding the weapons was highlighted at the time by Elon Musk, who criticised her arrest for “trying to defend herself”.”
SupportedSheriff Niven-Smith said the girls' evidence had been “eloquent.”BBC Scotland: “Sheriff Niven-Smith rejected Belov's claim of self-defence and said the girls' evidence had been “eloquent.””
SupportedBelov was given 300 hours of unpaid work, supervision and 18 months on the sex offenders register.BBC Scotland: “Ilia Belov, 23, was placed on supervision and the sex offenders register for 18 months and given a 300-hour unpaid work order”
SupportedNadjedzha Belova was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work after admitting assaulting another girl.BBC Scotland: “Nadjedzha Belova, 20, was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work after admitting assaulting another girl in the group to her injury.”
SupportedBelov's solicitor said the appeal would focus on the sex-offender-register addition, not supervision or unpaid work.BBC Scotland: “Belov's solicitor Larry Flynn told BBC Scotland News the appeal would focus on his client's addition to the sex offenders register rather than the supervision or unpaid work order.”
SupportedBelov was convicted in June of assaulting a 12-year-old and uttering sexual remarks to her and her friends.BBC Scotland: “Ilia Belov, 23, was placed on supervision and the sex offenders register for 18 months and given a 300-hour unpaid work order after being convicted of assaulting a 12-year-old girl and uttering sexual remarks to the girl and her friends.”
SupportedThe siblings were sentenced earlier this month.BBC Scotland: “Image caption, Ilia Belov and his sister Nadjedzha Belova were sentenced earlier this month”