Four former Metrolink security guards are to be prosecuted for manslaughter the CPS have ruled this afternoon
Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “The CPS has authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge four men following the death of Jack Barnes in 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.
Jack Barnes died in December 2016 following an incident in Manchester city centre two months previously when the father-of-one was restrained by the four at a tram stop.
The 29 year old from Hull, was held by four “customer service representatives” who were monitoring anti-social behaviour
At an inquest in March 2021, HM Senior Coroner for Manchester Nigel Meadows ruled the death was an unlawful killing and stated the restraint “more than minimally, trivially or negligibly contributed to the cardiac arrest”.
Mr Rowlands will also be charged with a single offence of perverting the course of justice relating to a witness statement.
