Murder Probe After Man's Burned Body Found

Police have launched a murder inquiry after a man's badly burned body was found at the side of a road.

Stuart Walker, 28, from Cumnock in Ayrshire, was found dead with "horrible injuries" on an industrial estate at around 5am on Saturday morning.

There was speculation he may have been attacked because of his sexuality, but Strathclyde Police said they were in no position to comment.

Detective Inspector John Hogg said: "We have a number of leads and we do have a number of open lines of inquiry.

"I am optimistic that we will be in a position to bring this matter to a conclusion sooner rather than later."

Detectives are checking CCTV and making door-to-door inquiries in a bid to trace his last movements.

Mr Walker had been out with friends and was last seen alive at around 2.30am.

Det Insp Hogg added: "It is imperative that we find out where he was between 2.30am and 4.50am, who he was with and why this happened to him.

"From our inquiries so far, we understand that there may have been a number of house parties in the nearby Netherthird housing estate in the early hours of the morning.

"At this time we do not know if these parties are linked to our investigation or not, so again, any information on that is important."

Relatives have told Sky News that Mr Walker was beaten up in a street in Cumnock last year.

Two Facebook tribute groups called RIP Stuart Walker have been set up with messages from some of the 4,000 members.

Karen Nicol wrote: "Life is so unfair. A genuine guy who always had a smile, a wave or a big cheery hello for everyone.

"Cumnock an emptier place without you for lots of people. God bless and R.I.P. Thoughts and prayers are with your family xx."

Another from Margo Greig read: "These candles may burn out but the memories of you will last forever, such a fun loving, down to earth guy.

"A big softy at heart, will miss you loads hunnie (sic), let that big cheesy smile of yours shine on!"

Adam Ingram, the SNP MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, said the attack had shaken the community.

"People are shocked and horrified. It's come completely out of the blue," he said.

"Stuart was a very nice young man, very popular and well-known within the Cumnock community."

He added: "Clearly they're looking for local people who might know anything at all about what happened late on Friday night / Saturday morning to come forward and help them with their inquiries."