1000 people attend The funeral of murdered gay barman Stuart Walker

 n attended the funeral 

The funeral of murdered barman Stuart Walker took place last week, with a 1000 people from the town of Cumnock, Scotland in attendance.

Mr Walker was found dead with “horrible” injuries near an industrial estate in the Scottish town last month. He had been beaten and burned.

Many of the town’s 9000 inhabitants attended the service. Mr Walker’s sister, Julie called her brother the “life and soul of our family”.

She said: “You were our ray of sunshine when you were here. And now you will forever be our brightest star, watching over us.”

The day of Stuart’s death, 22 October, was described as “one of the darkest in Cumnock’s recent history” by the vicar, Reverend Patterson.

Leona Lewis’ Footprints in the Sand was played during the procession, with 600 mourners following the hearse to the town cemetery.

The 18-year-old who was arrested earlier this month has now been charged with murder, theft and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Ryan Esquierdo, also from Cumnock, remains in police custody.