Murder hunt after homophobic attack

Ian Baynham, 62, suffered fatal head injuries in an assault close to the South African High Commission, in Trafalgar Square, central London.

He died in hospital on Tuesday night when doctors switched off his life support machine, more than a fortnight after the attack on September 25.

Police want to trace three young people, including two teenage girls who were caught on CCTV, seen in the area.

Mr Baynham, from Beckenham, south east London, suffered severe brain damage when he was punched and kicked to the ground. His attackers shouted homophobic abuse.

He was on his way to a night out in the West End with a 30-year-old friend when the attack took place shortly before 11pm.

The two men had just got off a number 24 bus in Duncannon Street when three youths confronted them and shouted abuse. The friend was treated for minor injuries.

Detectives from Scotland Yard's Homicide and Serious Crime Command are investigating the murder.

They want the public to help them identify the two girls who may have been sitting in the square with a dark-skinned male youth earlier that evening.

Investigators said the three, all aged between 16 and 20, are suspected of shouting verbal abuse at other people as well.