16-year-old boy murdered in gang attack in Paisley

A 16-year-old boy was murdered in a vicious attack by a gang of up to 20 youths and girls following a chase through a housing estate, police said last night. Scott Ferguson had been visiting relatives at Paisley, near Glasgow, when he was confronted by the gangland chased through several streets.

Police said between 15 and 20 youngsters aged between about 17 and 20 were involved in the beating. A spokeswoman said a gun was fired during the incident on Saturday night but no one was injured by the shot and the weapon was later recovered by police. She said Scott was taken to hospital, where he died. Detective Chief Inspector Ronald Beattie, heading the murder hunt, said: "This was a particularly vicious attack on a 16- year-old boy and I would appeal to anyone with any information to contact the incident room."