A teen has been charged in connection
with the murder of Stuart Walker, the BBC reported.
Walker is the 28-year-old openly gay
bartender from Cumnock, Scotland who suffered a horrific attack that
took his life on Saturday, October 22. His partially clothed charred
remains were found on the side of the road.
Eighteen-year-old Ryan Esquierdo on
Monday was formally charged with murder and theft. He appeared in
private at Ayr Sheriff Court, but made no plea.
Police have previously said they could
not rule out that Walker was the victim of a homophobic attack.
Chief Superintendent John Thomson of
Strathclyde Police said: “I can confirm it was a very violent and
sustained attack on Stuart. I do not believe at this stage that this
was a random attack. There may be the possibility he knew his
attacker or attackers.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron
sent his condolences to the Walker family and called on the public to
help in the case: “The police cannot solve crimes without the help
of the public and I hope everyone will cooperate in the best way they
can.”