Stuart Walker found burned by roadside in Cumnock

Police are investigating the final hours of a man whose burned body was found at the side of an Ayrshire Road.

Stuart Walker, 28, from Cumnock, was found dead with "horrible injuries" near Caponacre Industrial Estate, Cumnock, just before 05:00 on Saturday.



It is thought he had been tied to a lamppost, beaten and burned.

Following reports Mr Walker may have been targeted due to his sexuality, Strathclyde Police said they were looking into all aspects of his life.

Family and friends described him as a "true friend and gentleman".

Hundreds of tributes have also been posted on Facebook pages set up to honour Mr Walker.

The former Royal Hotel worker had been out with friends in the Cumnock area earlier during the night.

He was last seen alive by a family friend near the fire station in Glaisnock Street at about 02:30 - nearly two-and-a-half hours before he was found.

Detectives said they were checking CCTV and making door-to-door inquiries in a bid to trace Mr Walker's movements between 02:30 and 04:50 hours.

Police also want to know whether any house parties being held in the nearby Netherthird housing estate are linked to their investigations.

One tribute on a Facebook page called RIP Stuart Walker described him as a "genuine guy who always had a smile, a wave or a big cheery hello for everyone".

Another read: "A very special person... the world lost a wonderful person yesterday."