Schoolboy's Killer Gets 30 Years

Sentences have been handed down for two men convicted of killing a defenceless 15-year-old schoolboy in Belfast.

Mr Justice McLaughlin set the minimum terms of imprisonment to be served by the two men convicted of the murder of Thomas Devlin, shown here on a earlier poster held by his mother.

The man who stabbed the boy to death has been jailed for a minimum of 30 years.

Gary Taylor, 23, Mountcollyer Avenue, Belfast, was convicted of murdering Thomas in August 2005.

His accomplice, Nigel Brown, 27, of Whitewell Road, was jailed for 22 years minimum for his part in the killing.

For the attempted murder of the victim's friend, Jonathan McKee, Nigel Brown was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and Gary Taylor to 20 years, those sentences to run concurrently with the life sentence tariff.

The court had heard that on the evening of 10 August 2005 Thomas Devlin, aged 15, Jonathan McKee, aged 17, and Fintan Maguire, aged 16, were walking along the Somerton Road having been to a local petrol station where they had bought soft drinks and snacks.

They were then attacked by the defendants and while Fintan Maguire escaped by climbing over a gate, Jonathan McKee was caught by Brown and Thomas Devlin was caught by Taylor.

Mr Justice McLaughlin described what followed as "a horrifying and brutal attack upon utterly defenceless and harmless boys”. Thomas Devlin was stabbed repeatedly. The judge said it "was a sustained and deliberate attack designed to cause maximum injury".

At the same time Brown attacked Jonathan McKee who had described to the court how he was beaten about the head and shoulders with a piece of wood before falling to his knees.

He was then punched in the face. Taylor, having finished his attack on Thomas Devlin confronted Jonathan McKee and stabbed him in the abdomen.

The knife was also thrust towards his back but it appears that a backpack which he was wearing prevented him from suffering any injury.

The attack on Jonathan McKee was described by the judge as 'frenzied" and Jonathan McKee described how scary and brutal it was. Taylor and Brown then fled the scene.

Thomas Devlin was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at the Mater Hospital.

Mr Justice McLaughlin referred to the family's struggle to ensure the case came to trial, noting the "prolonged nature of the investigation and trial" and the fact that a decision was made at one point not to prosecute Taylor.

He described the ultimate trial process as "incredibly arduous" for the families and friends of the victims.

The judge said he had noted the defendants' criminal records.

Brown had 72 convictions recorded, 30 for assaults on the police and convictions for offences including assault, criminal damage, and possession of offensive weapons.

Taylor had a shorter criminal record including disorderly behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The judge said it was clear that both of the defendants are "capable of vicious violence against people who are vulnerable and unable to fight back…clearly their criminal backgrounds constitute significant aggravating circumstances".

In concluding, Mr Justice McLaughlin stated that: "The message sent out by this court must be clear, unambiguous and reinforce the determination of the courts to deal decisively with vicious violence of this kind."

(BMcC/GK)