TRIBUTES have been paid to a woman allegedly murdered by a 16-year-old boy.

The body of Leah Whittle was found at a flat in Fiveways Court in Benville Road, Weymouth on Saturday afternoon.

She was originally from Portland but had moved back to the area in recent years after some time in Doncaster.

Detectives quizzing a 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of the murder by stabbing were yesterday given an additional 36 hours to question him.

The youth cannot be identified because he is under 18 years of age.

Westham ward councillor Gill Taylor said: “I would like to send my sympathy to the victim’s family and say how sad I am that this has happened.

“It’s so unusual for anything like this to happen.

“My sympathies go out to all concerned.

“There is such a community spirit around here, everybody knows everybody.

“For something like this to happen in our community is incredibly sad.

“Those flats have been there for about three years and they seem fairly quiet. I have never had any reports of any problems there.”

A resident of Fiveways Court, who did not wish to be named, said, of the victim: “She was always nice and would say hello. It’s really sad.”

The teenage suspect was arrested on Portland on Saturday, following a massive manhunt which involved the force helicopter and officers drafted in for Olympic security.

Police have not officially named the victim but have said she was known to the youth.

Det Insp Marcus Hester, of Dorset Police ’s Major Crime Team, said: “We continue to appeal for anyone who saw anything suspicious or unusual in the Benville Road area between 11am and 1pm on Saturday, July 21 to contact Dorset Police urgently.

“I want to reassure the public that following our ongoing investigation, it has been established that all parties were known to each other.”

Detectives were still probing residents in the area yesterday though the police cordon around the flats was taken down.

Flowers were placed in tribute to the woman at the scene.

John Pearce, of Alf’s Fish and Chips in Lynch Road, said: “When she came in here she was a nice and polite lady – an all-round nice person.

“May she rest in peace.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should contact Dorset Police on 101.