Ayrshire murder victim was questioned over child indecency

STV

A murder victim whose body was found on an industrial estate was questioned by police over alleged child indecency weeks before his death.

Stuart Walker, 28, died after suffering what police describe as "horrible injuries". He had been questioned over an alleged incident involving a 12-year-old boy in August and a report was sent to the procurator fiscal.

Police said there did not appear to be any link between the claims and Mr Walker's murder.

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said: "There was a report sent to the procurator fiscal in relation to an alleged indecency on a 12-year-old boy. There's no suggestion that this incident is in any way connected to the murder."

No charges or action was taken against Mr Walker in connection with the allegation. The case was still being considered when Mr Walker was murdered but has been closed as a result of his death.

A Crown Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that the procurator fiscal at Ayr received a report concerning a 28-year-old male in connection with an alleged incident on August 20, 2011. The case is now closed."

Mr Walker's body was discovered shortly before 5am on Saturday at Caponacre industrial estate in Cumnock, Ayrshire. The force said there was nothing to suggest Mr Walker had been the victim of a homophobic crime but it was not ruling anything out as no clear motive had been established.

They do not believe it was a random attack. Detectives would not discuss specific injuries in case it was "prejudicial in the future", but reports have suggested Mr Walker, from the town, was beaten and burned before his death.

Tributes

The barman's death has sent shockwaves through the local community. More than 12,000 people have left messages on Facebook pages set up in his honour, with posts from friends and family as well as from strangers as far afield as California, France and Finland. Thousands more took to Twitter to write messages of condolence to his family.

David Cameron urged the public to help solve the murder on Thursday after local Labour MP Sandra Osborne raised his case at Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons. Sending his condolences to Mr Walker's family, Mr Cameron said: "It was once said that the police are the public and the public are the police.

"The police cannot solve crimes without the help of the public and I hope everyone will cooperate in the best way they can."

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