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Family of Briton killed in Thai New Year's Eve party 'completely devastated'
Family of Briton killed in Thai New Year's Eve party 'completely devastated'
(35 minutes later)
The family of Stephen Ashton, who was shot dead at a New Year's Eve party in Thailand, said that they are "completely devastated by the loss of Stephen from our lives".
The family of Stephen Ashton, who was shot dead at a New Year's Eve party in Thailand, say they are "completely devastated by the loss of Stephen from our lives".
He was an innocent bystander simply enjoying New Year celebrations, they added.
Ashton, 22, from Purley, south London, was caught in crossfire between rival gangs and is believed to have been killed by a stray bullet as he danced with friends at a beach bar in Koh Phangan.
Ashton, 22, from Purley, south London, was caught in the crossfire of a gunfight between rival gangs. He is said to have been killed by a stray bullet as he danced with friends at a beach bar on the paradise island of Koh Phangan.
Kittakarn Kramomthong, chief of police on the island, said officers had arrested a 26-year-old Thai man and confiscated a gun. The man is expected to be charged with manslaughter, he added.
Police Colonel Kittakarn Kramomthong, chief of police at the island's station, said officers had arrested a 26-year-old Thai man and confiscated a gun. The man is expected to be charged with manslaughter, he added.
It was reported that Ashton's family were heading to Koh Phangan to formally identify his body and make arrangements for his repatriation. The British ambassador to Thailand, Mark Kent, is expected to visit the scene on Thursday.
It was reported that Ashton's family had travelled to Thailand and were on the way to Koh Phangan to formally identify his body and make arrangements for his repatriation.
Thai police said Ashton was with a group of friends and 300 other tourists celebrating the countdown to 2013 at the Zoom Bar when he was shot with a homemade gun at Haad Rin beach, shortly after 4am on Tuesday.
The British ambassador to Thailand, Mark Kent, is expected to visit the scene on Thursday.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Ashton's family said: "As a family we are completely devastated by the loss of Stephen from our lives. He has been taken away from us in such cruel and tragic circumstances in which he was an innocent bystander simply enjoying new year celebrations.
Thai police said Ashton was with a group of friends and 300 other tourists celebrating the countdown to 2013 at a pub and restaurant called the Zoom Bar when he was shot with a homemade gun at Haad Rin beach, shortly after 4am on Tuesday.
"He will be truly missed by his family but also by the many friends he made during his life. We cannot comprehend how someone can carry out such a reckless act, giving such little value to human life. We ask that our privacy be respected to allow us to grieve."
In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the family said: "As a family we are completely devastated by the loss of Stephen from our lives.
"He has been taken away from us in such cruel and tragic circumstances in which he was an innocent bystander simply enjoying New Year celebrations.
"We are comforted in the thought that he was having a fantastic time with friends after such a difficult period following the loss of his much-loved dad who passed away from a brain tumour in 2011 and the loss of his granddad a few months earlier.
"We were all so proud of him; he was a much loved son, brother, grandson and nephew. He will be truly missed by his family but also by the many friends he made during his life. We cannot comprehend how someone can carry out such a reckless act, giving such little value to human life.
"We ask that our privacy be respected to allow us to grieve."
