Family ‘devastated by loss of Stephen’

THE FAMILY of Stephen Ashton, who was shot dead at a New Year’s Eve party in Thailand, said yesterday that they are “completely devastated by the loss of Stephen from our lives”.

He was an innocent bystander enjoying celebrations, they said.

Mr Ashton (22), from Purley, south London, was caught in the crossfire of a gunfight between gangs.

He is said to have been killed by a stray bullet as he danced with friends at a beach bar on the paradise island of Koh Phangan.

Colonel Kittakarn Kramomthong, chief of police at the island’s station, said officers had arrested a 26-year-old Thai man and confiscated a gun.

The man is expected to be charged with manslaughter, he said.

It was reported that Mr A shton’s family had travelled to Thailand and were on the way to Koh Phangan to identify his body formally and make arrangements for his repatriation.

British ambassador Mark Kent is expected to visit the scene today.

Thai police said Mr Ashton was with a group of friends and 300 other tourists celebrating the countdown to 2013 at a pub called the Zoom Bar when he was shot by a home-made gun at Haad Rin beach shortly after 4am on Tuesday.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the family said: “We are comforted in the thought that he was having a fantastic time with friends after such a difficult period following the loss of his much loved dad, who passed away from a brain tumour in 2011 and the loss of his grandad a few months earlier.

“We were all so proud of him; he was a much loved son, brother, grandson and nephew. He will be truly missed by his family but also by the many friends he made during his life. We cannot comprehend how someone can carry out such a reckless act, giving such little value to human life.

“We ask that our privacy be respected to allow us to grieve.”

Mr Ashton’s MP Richard Ottaway said he had been in touch with the Foreign Office to ensure everything was being done to support the investigation.

The Conservative Croydon South MP, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, has also contacted the family to extend his condolences.

Friends expressed their shock at Mr Ashton’s death.

Jaydon Gibbs said on Twitter: “My heart is with his family. The nicest guy RIP Stephen A shton xx.”

Robbie-Cameron Gray took to Mr Ashton’s Facebook page.

He said: “Don’t want to believe it. Still got photos of us on my wall from football and school. Will miss you mate.”