This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8339576.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Halloween death family devastated Halloween death family devastated
(about 5 hours later)
The family of a man beaten to death by a gang on Halloween in a row over a witch's hat has been left "devastated". The girlfriend of a man beaten to death by a gang on Halloween in a row over a witch's hat has said she is "completely devastated".
Ben Gardner, 30, died after being punched and kicked to the ground in Throwley Way in Sutton, south London, in the early hours of Sunday. Ben Gardner, 30, died after being punched and kicked in Throwley Way, Sutton in south London, on Sunday.
He was attacked as he confronted the gang when one man took his girlfriend's witch's hat and spat in it.He was attacked as he confronted the gang when one man took his girlfriend's witch's hat and spat in it.
Mr Gardner's best friend said the family was "inconsolable" and a "light has gone out in their lives". His girlfriend said: "It breaks my heart that I will never see his beautiful smile again."
'Unprovoked attack' Metropolitan Police, who are treating the death as murder, arrested a ninth person - a 20-year-old man - on Tuesday morning over the attack.
Metropolitan Police are treating the death as murder. Of the eight arrested on Monday, two 20-year-old men, remain in police custody.
Five men, aged between 20 and 25 years, and two women, aged 26 and 25 years, who were arrested over the attack, remain in custody. Two other men, aged 21 and 25, have been released on bail while four others were released with no further action.
Mr Gardner, a bank worker in Sutton, was taken to hospital but died on Sunday evening from head injuries.. Mr Gardner was taken to hospital but died on Sunday evening from head injuries.
A light has gone out in their lives and his grandmother is, in one word, devastated Will Fearnley-Whittingstall, best friendA light has gone out in their lives and his grandmother is, in one word, devastated Will Fearnley-Whittingstall, best friend
His girlfriend was also punched during the assault and suffered minor injuries. His girlfriend said: "He was the most wonderful, caring and considerate man I'd ever met.
Speaking to BBC London 94.9 Will Fearnley-Whittingstall said the victim was the best man at his wedding just a few weeks ago. "It was a privilege to be his girlfriend and I loved him dearly.
He said: "I found out early on Sunday morning. As soon as I heard I went straight up to see Ben in hospital. "It's completely devastating that he was taken away from us and it breaks my heart that I will never see his beautiful smile again."
"The family, as you can imagine, they are not doing very well. A light has gone out in their lives and his grandmother is, in one word, devastated." She was also punched and suffered minor injuries during the attack.
He said he had also spoken to Mr Gardner's girlfriend. 'Caring man'
"She was inconsolable. Not least from the horror of the attack in itself but equally from the consequences of it," he said. Mr Gardner's best friend since the age of six, Will Fearnley-Whittingstall, said the victim was the best man at his wedding just a few weeks ago.
On Monday Det Insp Bob Campany said: "This appears to be a violent unprovoked attack on an innocent man who was out enjoying Halloween night with his girlfriend." He said: "The family, as you can imagine, they are not doing very well. A light has gone out in their lives and his grandmother is, in one word, devastated."
He added: "Ben was a wonderful, caring, happy man.
"I've known Ben pretty much all my life. We were like brothers in many ways.
"Ben was the first person to protect the people he cared about and that's all he was doing."
Police described the incident as a "violent unprovoked attack on an innocent man".