Body on bonfire: boy is charged

Nov 9 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

POLICE last night charged a 13-year-old boy with the murder of Stephen Croft.

The charred body of Mr Croft, 34, was found in the dying embers of a bonfire the morning after a community event to mark Guy Fawkes night, near the YMCA in Whetstone Lane, Birkenhead.

His badly burned body was found at about 1am.

He had suffered head injuries and burns.

Three males, all from the local area, were later arrested on suspicion of murder.

The 13-year-old is due to appear at Birkenhead magistrates court today. He is charged with the murder of Mr Croft, and with robbery.

The two other males, aged 17 and 19, were released on police bail.