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A schoolboy was targeted by older youths who hurled stones at him after asking if he supported Rangers or Celtic.

Mum Stacey McMurtry, 27, said her seven-year-old son John had been left very upset after being targeted while out playing with his friend on Chief Street off the Crumlin Road on Sunday evening.

The group asked the P3 Forth River Primary School pupil which team he supported and when he replied Rangers, they threw stones at him.

Mum-of-two Stacey told Belfast Live: "My mum called because she lives up the street and he had gone to her first.

"She said for me to come down as something was wrong.

"John was out playing with his friend in Chief Street near the Peace Wall and they said there was a group of boys about 14/15 trying to break windows at the new care home.

"They spotted John and his friend and John being seven did not realise what they were doing when they asked if he supported Rangers of Celtic.

"He said Rangers and they started throwing large stones. Luckily they did not get hit but one did his friend's foot.

"He was really shook up by it and I called the police."

The police visited the family home on Sunday night and are treating the incident as a hate crime.

"The police came to the house yesterday and said the chance of getting the boys was slim to none and to give John some advice," said Stacey.

"They said to just answer Manchester United when asked about your favourite football team and to stay aware from the area which is no good because that's where his friend lives.

"He is an innocent boy."

Stacey said John was able to give the police a description of the group and she hopes they will be able to track them down.

A PSNI spokesman said: "Police in North Belfast are investigating a report of an incident in the area of Chief Street on Sunday 25th June.

"It was reported that a number of teenage youths threw stones at younger boys just before 5pm. There were no reports of any injuries and the matter is being treated as a hate incident. Enquiries are ongoing and officers would ask anyone with any information to contact them at Tennent Street on 101 quoting reference number 973 25/06/17 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."