06/12/2012
Teen Jailed For 12 Years For Killing 'Sympathetic' Barman
A teenager has been jailed for 12 years for the murder of a barman.
Ryan Esquierdo, 19, choked 28-year-old Stuart Walker to death at an industrial estate in Cumnock on 22 October last year before setting his body alight.
He admitted he killed Mr Walker, who was gay, after he tried to comfort him over his own confused sexuality.
He pleaded guilty to culpable homicide, after prosecutors accepted his claim of diminished responsibility.
During a previous hearing, the High Court in Glasgow was told how Esquierdo and Mr Walker had been out separately in Cumnock on 21 October last year.
They later met each other "by chance" as they made their way home in the early hours of the following morning.
Esquierdo was lying on a wall apparently asleep when Mr Walker woke him and the pair then walked together towards the town's Caponacre Industrial Estate.
Prosecutor Andrew Brown QC said Mr Walker - who was openly gay - and Esquierdo then shared a conversation about the teenager's sexuality.
The court was told how Esquierdo previously had a number of girlfriends, but that his sexuality had been "the subject of discussion by his friends".
Mr Brown said: "Stuart Walker was only sympathetic with (Esquierdo's) conflicted position.
"The accused described feeling safe talking to Mr Walker."
The pair subsequently became intimate, which was consensual, but Esquierdo started to panic.
The court heard claims that Esquierdo had been sexually abused as a boy and that the situation he found himself in with Mr Walker induced "flashbacks".
Mr Brown said this triggered an "uncontrollable rage" within the teenager and that Mr Walker was on the receiving end of "extreme and explosive violence".
Esquierdo will be monitored for five years after his release from custody.
(H)
Ryan Esquierdo, 19, choked 28-year-old Stuart Walker to death at an industrial estate in Cumnock on 22 October last year before setting his body alight.
He admitted he killed Mr Walker, who was gay, after he tried to comfort him over his own confused sexuality.
He pleaded guilty to culpable homicide, after prosecutors accepted his claim of diminished responsibility.
During a previous hearing, the High Court in Glasgow was told how Esquierdo and Mr Walker had been out separately in Cumnock on 21 October last year.
They later met each other "by chance" as they made their way home in the early hours of the following morning.
Esquierdo was lying on a wall apparently asleep when Mr Walker woke him and the pair then walked together towards the town's Caponacre Industrial Estate.
Prosecutor Andrew Brown QC said Mr Walker - who was openly gay - and Esquierdo then shared a conversation about the teenager's sexuality.
The court was told how Esquierdo previously had a number of girlfriends, but that his sexuality had been "the subject of discussion by his friends".
Mr Brown said: "Stuart Walker was only sympathetic with (Esquierdo's) conflicted position.
"The accused described feeling safe talking to Mr Walker."
The pair subsequently became intimate, which was consensual, but Esquierdo started to panic.
The court heard claims that Esquierdo had been sexually abused as a boy and that the situation he found himself in with Mr Walker induced "flashbacks".
Mr Brown said this triggered an "uncontrollable rage" within the teenager and that Mr Walker was on the receiving end of "extreme and explosive violence".
Esquierdo will be monitored for five years after his release from custody.
(H)
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01 August 2005
Second teenager arrested over Walker murder
A second teenager has been arrested in connection with the murder of black A-Level student Anthony Walker. Anthony, 18, died after being attacked with an axe in Huyton, Merseyside on Friday night. Police confirmed that a 17-year-old male had been arrested. A second man – an 18-year-old who was arrested on Sunday - has been released on bail.
Second teenager arrested over Walker murder
A second teenager has been arrested in connection with the murder of black A-Level student Anthony Walker. Anthony, 18, died after being attacked with an axe in Huyton, Merseyside on Friday night. Police confirmed that a 17-year-old male had been arrested. A second man – an 18-year-old who was arrested on Sunday - has been released on bail.
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Leader Of The BNP Steps Down
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Leader Of The BNP Steps Down
The leader of the British National Party (BNP) has stepped down. Nick Griffin said that "fifteen years is more than long enough" and he "initially hoped to hand the responsibility over several years ago". Adam Walker is now the Acting Leader of the party, pending the routine leadership election due under the BNP's Constitution next year.
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Man held over Anthony Walker murder
Police are continuing to question a man arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder of black teenager Anthony Walker. Merseyside Police arrested three men - two aged 18 and 25 from the Huyton area of Liverpool and a 31-year-old from Kirkdale - and a woman, 34, also from Kirkdale, on Tuesday on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
Man held over Anthony Walker murder
Police are continuing to question a man arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder of black teenager Anthony Walker. Merseyside Police arrested three men - two aged 18 and 25 from the Huyton area of Liverpool and a 31-year-old from Kirkdale - and a woman, 34, also from Kirkdale, on Tuesday on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
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Two in court over Walker murder
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Two men appeared in court on Friday, charged with the murder of black teenager Anthony Walker last week.
04 May 2005
Pellet gun teacher freed
The Court of Appeal has freed Linda Walker, the teacher who was jailed for firing a pellet gun during an argument with a group of youths. The 48-year-old special needs teacher from Urmston, Greater Manchester received a six month jail sentence after being convicted of affray and possessing a firearm on March 29.
Pellet gun teacher freed
The Court of Appeal has freed Linda Walker, the teacher who was jailed for firing a pellet gun during an argument with a group of youths. The 48-year-old special needs teacher from Urmston, Greater Manchester received a six month jail sentence after being convicted of affray and possessing a firearm on March 29.
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