Jack Barnes: Tram workers face manslaughter charges in court

Four tram workers have appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of a father-of-one.

Jack Barnes suffered a cardiac arrest after he was restrained by "customer service representatives" who were monitoring the Metrolink network in Manchester in October 2016.

The 29-year-old, from Hull, died almost two months later in hospital.

Stephen Rowlands, Brian Gartside, Paul Fogarty and Matthew Sellers did not enter pleas to Manchester magistrates.

Mr Fogarty, 50 and of Monks Lane, Bolton; Mr Rowlands, 67 and of Wearish Lane, Westhoughton; Mr Sellers, 29 and of Heathfield Road, Bury, and Mr Gartside, 50 and of Danesworth Avenue, Whitworth, each faced a charge that they unlawfully killed Mr Barnes.

Mr Rowlands faced an additional charge of perverting the course of justice by allegedly providing a false witness statement to Greater Manchester Police in October 2016.

Members of Mr Barnes's family sat in the public gallery during the brief preliminary hearing.

Ben Southam, prosecuting, told the court the decision to prosecute the men was made following an inquest ruling in 2021.

Granting the four accused unconditional bail, magistrates adjourned the case until 8 February for a further hearing at Manchester Crown Court.

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