Two remanded over Halloween death

Ben Gardner (r) was the best man at his friend's wedding a few weeks ago

Two men charged with the murder of a man who confronted a thief after his girlfriend's Halloween hat was stolen have been remanded in custody.

Daniel Ransom and Ross Collender, both 20 and from Carshalton, were arrested after Ben Gardner suffered fatal head injuries.

Mr Gardner, 30, was attacked in the early hours of Sunday in Sutton, south London, and died later the same day.

The pair were remanded until 10 February by Sutton Magistrates Court.

The men, both unemployed, will appear at the Old Bailey next year.

'Wonderful man'

Another 20-year-old man, arrested on Tuesday, has been bailed until December.

Two other men arrested in connection with the investigation, a 25-year-old and 21-year-old, have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Mr Gardner, an IT specialist at insurers Legal & General, was returning from a Halloween night out with his 28-year-old girlfriend Allanna Devine when he was attacked.

His best friend since the age of six, Will Fearnley-Whittingstall, cousin of TV chef Hugh, has spoken of Mr Gardner's role as best man at his wedding only a few weeks ago.

He described his friend as a "wonderful, caring, happy man".