Police probe ‘happy slap’ link to bonfire death

THE death of a man whose charred body was found in a bonfire after a suspected “happy slap” attack is being treated as murder, police confirmed yesterday.

The body of Stephen Croft, 34, was discovered on a bonfire by fire crews attending the Guy Fawkes night blaze in Birkenhead, Wirral, Merseyside. He had suffered head injuries and severe burns.

A witness claimed Mr Croft was attacked by youths who filmed themselves on mobile phones as they wielded a flaming log.