15-year old Briton's murder 'might be sectarian'

British police consuders a sectarian motive for the murder of Thomas Devlin - the teenager murdered in north Belfast last week.

Detectives staged a reconstruction of the 15-year-old's final movements on Wednesday night.

Thomas was stabbed five times in the back last week as he walked from a garage in the Fortwilliam area.

Detective Superintendent Colin Sturgeon said a sectarian motive for the murder was one being considered.

"I can't confirm or deny that it is a sectarian murder, but it's something I'm actively considering," Mr Sturgeon said.

"I want to catch the killers of a 15-year-old schoolboy, which is a horrible crime."

He said the amount of floral tributes left on the road for Thomas showed the impact the killing had had on the community.

"I'm asking for the help of the wider community to help me catch the killers of Thomas," Mr Sturgeon added.

From 2330 to 2345 BST on Wednesday, actors retraced the movements of Thomas and his two friends up to the point where he was stabbed on the Somerton Road.

Detectives stopped motorists and pedestrians in the area hoping to speak to anyone who saw something suspicious.

Police said they have been given substantial help but believe there are people with information about the killers.

Earlier on Wednesday, hundreds of mourners attended Thomas' funeral at the Church of the Resurrection on the Cavehill Road.

Thomas, a student at Belfast Royal Academy, was buried in Armoy, County Antrim, BBC reported.