Murder victim Alex Peguero Sosa friends praised
Police have praised schoolfriends of murder victim Alex Peguero Sosa for their "dignified" behaviour during a "difficult time".
Promising footballer Alex, 17, was stabbed in the neck in Kingsbridge, Devon, by Lee Dent who was jailed for murder on Friday.
Kingsbridge Community College pupils have been "a credit to themselves and the local community", said police.
Dent, 42, of East Portlemouth, Devon, will serve at least 22 years.
Father-of-three Dent stabbed Plymouth Argyle youth squad player Alex in the neck with a broken bottle in the late-night attack last July, Plymouth Crown Court heard.
Alex, who died from his injuries, was remembered in a series of memorial events by his friends at Kingsbridge Community College.
Kingsbridge Coalition partners, which represents police, the school, youth workers and the town council, said the "appalling crime" had "reverberated through the entire town and beyond".
"The last eight months have been a difficult time for many people, not least Alex's family, friends and classmates at Kingsbridge Community College," it said.
"The dignified manner in which these young people have conducted themselves, and supported Alex's family, is worthy of recognition."
Det Insp Ian Ringrose, senior investigating officer, said: "The young people in the town reacted to this tragic event with dignity and grace, and have been a credit to themselves and the local community."