Three quizzed over Bexley murder of BBC man

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Three men were being questioned today over the murder of a BBC electrical and lighting rigger who died as he celebrated his 32nd birthday.

Paul Gunner, who worked on shows including Strictly Come Dancing and Later...  with Jools Holland, was knocked to the ground in the unprovoked attack outside a takeaway in Bexley.

Witnesses said three men confronted him outside The Charcoal Grill kebab shop at 1am yesterday. One of the men punched him and he fell to the pavement, smashing his head. He was taken to
hospital but died 90 minutes later.

Police believe the same attackers were involved in a separate assault on a man outside the takeaway 10 minutes before Mr Gunner, who lived locally, was hit. They want that victim, who escaped unhurt, to come forward.

Three men, aged 25, 31 and 32, were being quizzed about both attacks at a south London police station. At her home in Erith, Kent, Mr Gunner's mother Andrea said: "Paul was a wonderful person, a brilliant son. He did very well at his job.

This is all such a shock." Dozens of people paid tribute to him on his Facebook page. Mr Gunner, who worked for BBC in-house company Set and Strike, had taken the weekend off work to enjoy his birthday and had been due back last night to work on a recording of pop quiz Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

A BBC spokesman said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of his death. Our thoughts are with his friends and family."

Police are appealing for witnesses. Detective Chief Inspector Caroline Goode, of the Met's homicide and serious crime command, said: "Paul Gunner lost his life on a night which should have been a celebration for him and his family.

"I would appeal for anyone who witnessed this assault, or the altercation that occurred shortly before, to contact police.

"I am particularly keen to speak to the victim of the first assault as he may hold vital details which could help us identify the suspects."

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4868 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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