Two in court over Halloween murder

Two in court over Halloween murder

Two 20-year-old men are to appear in court charged with the murder of Halloween reveller Ben Gardner.

The 30-year-old victim suffered fatal head injuries after confronting a thief who stole his girlfriend's Halloween hat in Sutton, south London.

Daniel Ransom, of Blake Close, Carshalton, and Ross Collender, of Wigmore Road, Carshalton, will appear before magistrates in Sutton on Wednesday.

Investigators have been examining CCTV footage and quizzing witnesses since the incident on Sunday.

Mr Gardner, an IT expert at insurer Legal & General, was returning from a Halloween night out with his 28-year-old girlfriend when he was attacked at 3.30am.

Paramedics were called and took Mr Gardner to St Helier Hospital where he died that evening.

Another 20-year-old man, arrested early on Tuesday, has been bailed to return on a date in December.

Two other men, a 25-year-old and 21-year-old, arrested in connection with the investigation have been bailed pending further inquiries.

His best friend, Will Fearnley-Whittingstall, a cousin of television chef Hugh, said Mr Gardner had recently been best man at his wedding.

He said: "Ben was never the sort to get in any trouble but he would put his life on the line to defend those he cared for. He always had a laugh and a cheeky grin and he was the best man at my wedding only six weeks ago. He was everyone's best mate."