Four men to be charged with 'unlawful act manslaughter' following the death of 29 year old father who died when security operative pinned him on pavement.

Charges Filed in Unlawful Act Manslaughter Case Over Man’s Death

Four individuals are set to face charges of unlawful act manslaughter in connection with the death of a 29-year-old father, Jack Barnes, who passed away after being pinned face down on the pavement by security guards. The incident occurred in 2016 when Barnes was held down by four Customer Service Representatives at Manchester Victoria Station following an alleged altercation over smoking inside the station. Barnes suffered a cardiac arrest, was hospitalized, but never regained consciousness, ultimately passing away seven weeks later.

Charges Against Security Guards

The four individuals to be charged with unlawful act manslaughter are Paul Fogarty (50), Brian Gartside (59), Stephen Rowlands (67), and Matthew Sellers (29). They were staff members subcontracted by Metrolink at the time of the incident. In addition to manslaughter charges, Stephen Rowlands will also face a single charge of perverting the course of justice related to a witness statement.

Barnes’s Tragic Death

Jack Barnes, a former bricklayer and father of one, tragically lost his life in this incident. The subsequent inquest into his death determined that he died of bronchopneumonia resulting from a hypoxic brain injury sustained during a cardiac arrest.

CPS Statement

Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, announced the charges, stating, “The CPS has authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge four men following the death of Jack Barnes in 2016. Mr Barnes died on 2 December 2016 following an incident in Manchester city centre on 11 October 2016. Paul Fogarty, 50, Brian Gartside, 59, Stephen Rowlands, 67, and Matthew Sellers, 29, who were staff members subcontracted by Metrolink at the time, are to be charged with unlawful act manslaughter. Mr Rowlands will also be charged with a single offence of perverting the course of justice relating to a witness statement. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and that they have the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”