Man pleads guilty to assault of victim found dead in Fulham flat

By Claudia Lee

A man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a man who was subsequently found dead in his Fulham flat.

Gary Curran, 53, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm at the Old Bailey on March 3.

He will return to the Old Bailey today for sentencing.

Curran was arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of 50-year-old Stephen Wallis was found at his flat in Barclay Close on February 15, 2022.

However, following further investigation and pathology results, no direct link could be established between the assault and Stephen’s death.

The charge was subsequently amended to grievous bodily harm.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Gary Curran carried out a violent assault that caused serious harm to a vulnerable man in his own home.”

On February 10, Stephen had confided to a medical professional during a regular home visit that a friend- later established to be Curran- had assaulted him following an argument over drugs.

Stephen attended hospital on February 11 where he received treatment for his injuries.

Police were informed of the incident and attempted to contact Stephen without success.

Between February 14 and 15 the medical professional attempted to contact Stephen at his address and on his mobile, but there was no response.

Police were called to attend the address, entry was forced and Stephen was found deceased inside the flat.

Detective Chief Inspector Goodwin said: “While no link between the assault and Stephen’s death could be scientifically established, it is clear from speaking to those who came into contact with him in the days between the attack and his death that he was in pain and traumatised by the incident.”

Pictured top: Gary Curran (Picture: The Met)