Youth is arrested over violent death of gay teenager Jack Frew

A TEENAGER has been arrested in connection with the death of a 16-year-old last week.

Jack Frew died after a violent attack near a secluded cycle path on Thursday in the Mossneuk area of East Kilbride. It is understood his throat had been cut.

A police spokesman yesterday said a 17-year-old man had been arrested and a report would be submitted to the procurator-fiscal.

The death of the 16-year-old, who was openly gay, has prompted a flurry of condolence messages in the town and online.

Yesterday, well-wishers continued to leave flowers and other tributes near the scene of his death, while a page on the social networking site Facebook set up to mourn the youngster has attracted more than 5,000 members.

The outpouring of grief over the Duncanrig Secondary pupil's death has led to the school bringing forward study leave for its senior students.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said yesterday that the force was working to establish a motive for the attack, in which Mr Frew's schoolfriend, Craig Roy, 17, was left injured. He was released from Hairmyres Hospital on Friday.

Television presenters Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan were among hundreds of people to pay an online tribute to Mr Frew yesterday.

"Scotland has been robbed of someone special, someone unique and someone who should still be here," the couple wrote. "This is a very dark weekend indeed … Our thoughts are with Jack's family and friends."

David Lister wrote: "Whoever and whatever Jack was, there was nothing about him that needed changing."

The school said counselling will be available for pupils.

Earlier, head teacher George Wynne described the teenager as "committed and conscientious."