SCOTLAND: Dead Gay Man Found Tied To Lamppost In Possible Hate Crime

A 28 year-old gay man was found tied to lamppost and may have been burned alive in what Scottish police are describing as a possible hate crime.

Detectives today launched a murder inquiry following the grim discovery, with streets in a nearby industrial estate sealed off as part of the ongoing investigation. Strathclyde Police confirmed the body had scorch marks and the victim had suffered horrific injuries. A spokesperson for the force said relatives of Mr Walker, the former assistant manager at the Royal Hotel in, Cumnock, have been informed of his death. Strathclyde Police would not rule out that Mr Walker had been murdered because of his sexuality and were now closely examining all aspects of the victim’s life.

A conflicting report says the victim was killed before his body was burned.

The hotel worker had been out with friends earlier in the night and was last seen alive by a family friend at about 2.30am. Strathclyde Police have launched a murder inquiry, with a spokesperson saying Mr Walker had not "died from his burns" and had been subjected to "a horrific attack". Officers are not ruling out that Mr Walker was murdered because of his sexuality.