A 28-year-old man, Josh Baxter, is standing trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, accused of manslaughter after the death of 38-year-old Michael Barron, whom he met via the dating app Grindr. Prosecutors say the incident occurred in Baxter’s flat in Blackley in January last year.
Tragic Outcome After Online Meeting
According to court evidence, Baxter and Barron arranged to meet after chatting on Grindr. Prosecutors allege that Baxter encouraged Barron to consume significant amounts of alcohol before they engaged in intense sexual activity described by the prosecution as “high-risk”.
The prosecution says Barron suffered cerebral hypoxia — a lack of oxygen to the brain — which led to cardiac arrest and his death. A post-mortem examination reportedly found fractures to a bone and cartilage in Barron’s neck, consistent with force applied during strangulation.
Contentious Details in Court
Witnesses at trial have heard that Baxter had discussed specific interests in rough and controlling behaviour with Barron, both before and during their meeting. Some of these communications were shared before the encounter, including discussion of bondage and rough sex.
Baxter denies the manslaughter charge and any unlawful infliction of grievous bodily harm. His defence argues that the activity was consensual and part of a sexual fantasy, not intended to cause serious harm.
Sequence of Events
On the evening in question, the pair reportedly drank alcohol and returned to Baxter’s flat. Baxter has told jurors that he intermittently applied pressure to Barron’s neck for a few seconds during intimate activity, believing the act was consensual and within their shared understanding.
Baxter said Barron initially seemed fine afterward, and it was only later when he noticed Barron’s face had changed colour that he realised something was seriously wrong. He cut restraints and called emergency services, attempting CPR before paramedics arrived.
Aftermath and Investigation
Investigators also found that shortly after the incident, Baxter conducted Google searches on his phone about legal consequences for accidentally killing someone during sexual strangulation — a development prosecutors note in their case.
The trial is ongoing, with jurors set to decide whether Baxter’s actions amounted to manslaughter. Consent and the foreseeability of harm are central themes in the arguments presented so far.
