A Polish national has been charged with murder following the death of Isaac Clare-Watts, 26, at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District. The incident occurred during summer solstice celebrations in the early afternoon of Monday, June 22.
Szymon Babynko, 23, of London, was arrested three days after the incident and has been charged with murder. He also faces a charge of attempted murder related to an attack in Hady Lane, Chesterfield, on June 25.
Babynko has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Derby Magistrates Court. Police were initially called to the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees, near Darley Dale, where they found Mr. Clare-Watts deceased. He was declared dead at the scene.
Officers had previously described the killing as occurring "in the most brutal way" and have appealed for witnesses, particularly those with photographs or video footage from the event. It is believed Mr. Clare-Watts was at the ancient monument to mark the summer solstice, a time when hundreds of people gathered, with some camping on site.
Video footage from the weekend shows large numbers of people at the site, socialising, dancing, and listening to music. Mr. Clare-Watts's family has urged anyone who was present at the gathering between June 19 and June 23 to contact the police. His mother, Christy, posted on social media, stating, "It breaks our hearts to let you all know that Isaac, son and brother, was found dead on Monday morning."
Police are continuing to investigate and are seeking information to piece together the victim's final movements. Locals have noted that multiple parties and raves took place at the location over the preceding weekend.
Mr. Clare-Watts worked as a joiner for West Bridgford building firm Frank Goulding Ltd. Colleagues remembered him as a popular team member who had recently returned from travelling and intended to explore more of the world, including Thailand to pursue his passion for Muay Thai.
In a statement, the company said, "Isaac joined us as a young man in 2016 to pursue a career in construction. He successfully completed his joinery apprenticeship and developed into a very skilled joiner. Isaac was a very popular member of our team and decided last year he wanted to take some time and go and see the world, in particular spending some time in Thailand to develop his Muay Thai skills, which was a passion of his. We are all very saddened to hear the tragic news and our prayers and sympathy go to his family."
An initial arrest of a 41-year-old man on suspicion of murder resulted in the individual being bailed last Thursday. The Nine Ladies Stone Circle is a Bronze Age monument situated on Stanton Moor, known for attracting visitors during the summer solstice.