2:40pm Monday 2nd November 2009
Exclusive By Leanne Fender and Thais Portilho-Shrimpton
A man died after he was attacked by a gang when he tried to stop them stealing his girlfriend’s costume witch's hat on Hallowe’en night.
Police launched a murder inquiry after 30-year-old Ben Gardner died in hospital the evening after the beating at 3.43am on Sunday morning.
He was out with his 28-year-old girlfriend when a man took the witch's hat she was wearing and Mr Gardner asked the man to return the hat.
A police spokesman said the man returned the hat but then punched and kicked Mr Gardner until he was left unconscious lying on the ground.
He suffered head injuries and died at a south London hospital later that evening.
Police officers and London Ambulance Service were called to Throwley Way, Sutton at 3.34am.
Will Fearnley-Whittingstall, 30, from Farnborough knew Mr Gardner for 25-years. He described the attack as “senseless”.
The cousin of TV chef Hugh Fearnley Whitingstall said: “He was best man at my wedding.
"He was like a brother to me. We grew up together as neighbours and used to ride bikes together in the park.”
“His girlfriend was wearing a wig and a costume and as they were walking towards the police station she was accosted by a group of lads who stopped her and tried to take her wig off.
"Ben tried to intervene and help her, but he was punched once and fell to the ground, then he was kicked and punched more.”
“He died at 8pm. I was there and he never regained consciousness.”
“I know this is going to sound cliché, but Ben was very happy-go-lucky, everyone’s friend, always had a smile on.
"He loved his friends and his family very much. He was godfather to my three-year-old son.”
Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall said Mr Gardner – who had just bought a flat in Sutton - was a member of a darts team, bowling team, played pool and followed Liverpool Football Club.
He said: “He was always out socialising and also enjoyed playing computer games. He was a regular 30-year-old. He was very happy.
“His mum died when he was 12 and he lived with his nanna.
"She was more like his mother, and he loved her.
"First she’s lost her daughter and now Ben. She’s devastated, they all are.
“I had an email from him last Thursday. Last time I saw him was six weeks ago when he was best man at my wedding.”
Six men and two women have been arrested in connection with the incident and remain in custody at south London police stations.
Officers from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command based at Sutton are investigating the incident.
Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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