Gay Bar-Tender Killed Set on Fire was sexually Assaulted
By Rod Mills
DETECTIVES hunting the killer of a barman who was savagely beaten and set on fire fear that he may also have been sexually assaulted.
Stuart Walker, 28, died from “horrible injuries” before his battered and scorched body was dumped by the side of a road near an industrial estate.
There were reports he was found partially naked in Cumnock, Ayrshire, in the early hours of Saturday, after being subjected to an “extremely violent and sustained attack”.
Chief Superintendent John Thomson said a post-mortem examination had taken place and there was a “possibility” Mr Walker had been subjected to a sex attack.
The former hotel assistant manager was openly gay and police said they had not ruled out a homophobic motive for the attack.
Officers said they were following a positive line of inquiry as they launched a fresh witness appeal in a bid to piece together the dead man’s final hours.
They believe the net is closing on the killer or killers, with names of suspects already understood to have been brought to the attention of detectives.
It has been reported Mr Walker may have gone willingly with his killers to the deserted industrial estate where sources claim he suffered a “highly unusual injury”.
The claims come amid intense speculation that his murder was a gay hate crime, which has sparked outrage on socialnetworking websites.
Officers said they are now “following a number of lines of inquiry” and are “confident” of a result within days.
Chief Superintendent John Thomson said: “It is possible that Stuart may have been known to his attackers and that is one of the lines we are pursuing.
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