Two men have been charged with the murder of Ben Gardner who died after being attacked in Sutton town centre.

Daniel Ransom, 20, unemployed, of Blake Close, Carshalton, and Ross Collender, 20, unemployed, of Wigmore Road, Carshalton have been charged with the murder of Ben Gardner on Sunday, November 1.

They will appear in custody at Sutton Magistrates' Court today.

Ben Gardner, 30, had left a Halloween party with girlfriend Allanna Devine, 28, from Morden, and was walking her home along Throwley Way, Sutton, at about 3.30am on Sunday when a group of yobs took her witch’s hat from her head.

Mr Gardner asked for the hat back, but was punched and kicked to the ground, where he was left unconscious.

Mr Gardner was taken by ambulance to a south London hospital suffering from head injuries and he died later that evening.

A post mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

A 20-year-old man arrested yesterday has been bailed to return on a date in December.

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

Four other people arrested, two men aged 25 and 24 and two women aged 26 and 25, have been released with no further action.

Mr Gardner had worked at UCB in Sutton before moving to Legal and General in Tadworth.

• Did you know Ben Gardner? Let us know by email here or phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555.