Witnesses sought to young man's fatal beating

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers have revisited the scene of the murder of a young man in west Belfast last…

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers have revisited the scene of the murder of a young man in west Belfast last week.

Mr Thomas Johnston, 24, of Boundary Way in the Shankill Road area died after being attacked near his home in the early hours of last Sunday.

Officers were going back to the area to speak to passing motorists and local people in a bid to gain clues to the identity of his killer. Detective Superintendent Paul Hamlin last night appealed for witnesses to contact police. "We are looking for anybody in the area at the time to come forward and give the police any information they have, no matter how slight or small it doesn't matter," he said.

Mr Johnston was walking along the street when an old BMW pulled up beside him. It is reported that a passenger got out and began beating him around the head with a blunt weapon. He was kicked as he lay on the ground and later died in hospital. A woman who was with him at the time was struck in the face.

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Earlier this week, police published a photofit of the man believed to have carried out the attack. He is described as being in his mid 30s, around 5ft 3in tall, well built with broad shoulders and a shaven head.

PA