Child abuse claim against Stuart Walker was ‘malicious lie’
An allegation of child abuse against murdered gay barman Stuart Walker was a malicious claim by a 44-year-old convicted rapist, reports say.
Mr Walker, 28, of Cumnock, was found dead near an Ayrshire industrial estate on Saturday. He had been beaten and burned.
On Tuesday, it was reported that he had recently been questioned over an alleged indecency incident involving a 12-year-old boy.
However, today’s Daily Record reports that prosecutors planned to throw out the case because the claim appeared to be “utter nonsense”.
The allegation was made by a 44-year-old man whose son was the alleged victim. The man claimed Mr Walker had put his hand down the boy’s trousers.
The man cannot be identified to protect the identity of his son. But the Record reports that he has a long criminal record including rape, theft and assault.
A Crown Office source told the newspaper that Mr Walker had urged the man’s girlfriend to leave him and the allegation was made in revenge.
The source said: “There was absolutely no corroboration for the allegation. It appeared to be utter nonsense and was going nowhere.
“Stuart has no history of such offending. He has a couple of motoring offences but that’s it.”
Another source with knowledge of the claims said the accuser was regarded as a trouble-maker and had seen Mr Walker as “an easy target” because of his sexual orientation.
Mr Walker was said to be “horrified” by the allegations.
Today, Strathclyde Police announced that an 18-year-old man was being detained in connection with Mr Walker’s death.
The man was taken into custody last night.
The barman’s is not currently being treated as motivated by homophobia, although police say they are keeping an open mind.
