‘Devastated’ community mourns murder victim

HUNDREDS of mourners paid their respects at the funeral of murder victim Stuart Walker yesterday – almost three weeks after he was found dead in an industrial estate.

The 28-year-old’s body was discovered in his home town of Cumnock, Ayrshire, early on 22 October.

Yesterday, he was laid to rest after an emotional service at Old Cumnock Old Parish Church. A procession of around 800 friends, family and well-wishers followed the hearse to Cumnock Cemetery.

Reverend John Paterson praised Mr Walker’s generosity and charm, and said that his murder had “devastated the community”.

“Stuart lived life to the full and everyone who came into contact with him was affected by his love for life,” he said.

“He enjoyed socialising and whenever he was out he always charmed his company into getting a dance.”

Speaking of the murder, he added: “This has devastated his family. But it has also devastated the community as you can see by the turnout today.

“Stuart was very generous in the widest sense of the word. In his time and his spirit and that’s what people will remember him by. The number of people who have stood in support will give great strength to the family.”