A Metrolink-contracted worker on trial for manslaughter has defended a text message in which he said he loved getting paid for 'getting into scraps' as 'just banter'. Matthew Sellers, 30, is one of four men accused of the unlawful killing of Jack Barnes, 29, who died after being restrained face down for nine minutes outside a Manchester bar.
A mobile phone text message sent by a Metrolink -contracted worker, which said he loved being paid for 'getting into scraps', has told a jury it was 'just banter' as he stands accused of manslaughter. Matthew Sellers is one of four men on trial accused of the unlawful killing in Manchester of father-of-one Jack Barnes, 29. Mr Barnes, from Hull, died after he was restrained and held face down for nine minutes, the jury in the case has been told.
Jurors have heard he told them he could not breathe while being pinned face-down on Deansgate outside the Australasia Bar. Mr Barnes had a cardiac arrest and never regained consciousness. He died in hospital several weeks later. After the incident, Mr Sellers, 30, of Heathfield Road, Bury, and three co-workers, Paul Fogarty, 51, of Monks Lane, Bolton; Brian Gartside, of Lime Grove, Ramsbottom and supervisor Stephen Rowlands, 68, of Wearish Lane, Westhoughton, Bolton, were all arrested. They all deny manslaughter. Mr Rowlands, a former Greater Manchester Police constable, also denies a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice by making a false witness statement. The jury at Liverpool Crown Court heard that during the investigations after the incident late on October 11, 2016, text messages were found on Mr Sellers' mobile phone in exchanges with a friend two days earlier. Jason Pitter KC, prosecuting, has alleged the messages illustrated his 'inflated view of his authority' with a final message culminating in Mr Sellers saying 'I love it me, just get into scraps and get paid for it'. Mr Pitter told the jury: 'That approach does not reflect the mindset of someone motivated by legitimate purpose, but rather someone getting a kick out of their use - or rather - abuse of position.' Asked by his barrister, Michael Hayton KC, about the texts, Mr Sellers explained that he and the friend liked 'to joke around, mainly just having a laugh'. One of the messages involved Mr Sellers saying he had arrested three people that week, but he told the court: 'It was just a joke.' He said there had been two occasions when he 'essentially arrested' someone and both led to convictions, one involving someone spitting in his mouth. Mr Sellers said his friend had just been trying to wind him up for a laugh, which was why he made the comment about loving getting into scraps. 'It was banter,' he told the jury. Mr Gartside has also given his evidence to the jury. He denied the prosecution's claims they had been out for revenge after earlier incidents involving Mr Barnes at Manchester's Victoria railway station. 'No way did we take revenge,' he told the jury. Questioned by his KC, Lewis Power, Mr Gartside said they had just wanted to catch and detain Mr Barnes and his companion and call the police. He said that while Mr Barnes was on the ground, the friend he was with was 'bouncing about in front of us' and saying 'I'll stab you'. Mr Gartside said he thought he might get seriously injured or killed, and that he took the threat seriously. Asked about Mr Barnes, he said the last time he saw him was when Mr Rowlands was giving him CPR. Asked if he had intended to hurt Mr Barnes, he replied: 'I never intended to do anything. I just wanted to finish the night quietly and go home.' The case continues
Manslaughter Metrolink Text Message Banter Retrial Manchester Police Restraint
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