A man on trial for manslaughter, accused of killing his Grindr date, told police he fell asleep on top of the victim for half an hour after sexual activity, a jury has heard.
Josh Baxter, 28, and Michael Barron, 38, met on the dating app Grindr on 26 January last year. The pair arranged a meeting at Baxter’s Blackley flat for a sexual encounter, the court was told.
Prosecutors allege Baxter encouraged Barron to drink excessive alcohol until he passed out, then restrained him face-down on the bed and lay on top of him for an “extended period.” Barron allegedly suffered strangulation and choking that fractured a bone and cartilage, resulting in cerebral hypoxia—a lack of oxygen to the brain—which led to cardiac arrest.
Paramedics pronounced Barron dead at the scene. The court heard that Baxter later ordered a takeaway via Deliveroo and sent messages to other men on Grindr. He reportedly searched online: “If you accidentally kill someone by strangling them in sex do you go to prison.”
Baxter, of Blackley, denies charges of manslaughter, intentional strangulation or suffocation, and unlawfully causing grievous bodily harm. His trial resumed Wednesday (7 January) at Minshull Street Crown Court.
Detective Constable Jasmine Kennedy, who took a statement from Baxter shortly after the incident, told the jury that Baxter admitted he and Barron drank heavily before proceeding to the bedroom. According to the statement, Barron consumed nearly a 70cl bottle of vodka, a bottle of wine, and additional alcohol purchased later.
In the bedroom, Baxter said, “I then tied him up with red rope against both his ankles and wrists. I knotted the rope not very tightly. Whilst in that position I had sex with him, I slapped him on the back, which was pre-agreed. He was lay face down, I realised he had fallen asleep as he was making snoring noises. I ended up falling asleep whilst I was on top of him and I woke up 30 minutes later.”
After picking up his takeaway, Baxter noticed Barron had stopped snoring, showed no signs of breathing, and his face had a purplish hue. He called 999 and was guided through CPR.
Paramedics who arrived at the scene confirmed Barron was already deceased. Forensic pathologist Dr Jamie Robinson told jurors that Barron had a curved abrasion on his neck, likely caused by a fingernail, and fractures to the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage. Toxicology tests revealed a blood alcohol level of 417mg per 100ml, more than five times the UK legal driving limit and above the fatal alcohol toxicity threshold of 350mg per 100ml.
Dr Robinson suggested Barron’s death was likely multifactorial, citing excessive alcohol consumption, his prone and restrained position, the pressure from Baxter lying on him, and neck compression. Neuropathologist Dr Daniel Du Plessis confirmed brain damage consistent with oxygen deprivation.
Baxter, residing at Lakeside Rise, Blackley, maintains his not guilty plea.
