Pub worker accused of killing Grindr date after strangling him in Manchester

Trial of Josh Baxter for Manslaughter

A PUB worker accidentally killed his Grindr date after strangling him, a court heard. Josh Baxter is accused of manslaughter after Michael Barron, 38, was found dead in his north Manchester flat on January 26 last year.

A post mortem revealed Mr. Barron suffered from cerebral hypoxia, caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain, leading to cardiac arrest. The court heard Mr. Baxter was “sexually motivated by high-risk sexual activity” and choked Mr. Barron with such force that he fractured a bone and cartilage.

The 28-year-old denies manslaughter and is currently on trial at Minshull Court. Jurors heard the pair met on Grindr and communicated via WhatsApp before their meeting.

Details of Their Encounter

In one conversation, Mr. Baxter asked Mr. Barron if he would allow him to engage in “rough” sex, including choking. The court heard Mr. Baxter asked if he could “choke him, tie him up, pull his hair, spit on him, call him names, get him so drunk he was weak and defenceless and punch him.”

Mr. Barron also expressed enjoyment in being tied up, gagged, and experiencing “pain and torture.” Mr. Baxter stated he never intended to hurt Mr. Barron and described it as all “fantasy.”

He told jurors Mr. Barron said he did not want to use a “safe word” when discussing sex and boundaries.

Events of January 26

On the evening of January 26, the pair had been drinking and went out to buy more alcohol. Mr. Baxter claimed they were both tipsy and moved to the bedroom when they returned to the flat. He stated, “That’s when I started to choke him.”

The defendant said he choked Mr. Barron “intermittently” for around five seconds. Afterward, he said they had sex and “cuddled,” with Mr. Barron appearing happy and comfortable.

Mr. Baxter fell asleep and later woke up to the sound of Mr. Barron snoring. He got up to order food and noticed part of Mr. Barron’s face was “light purple.”

Discovery of Mr. Barron’s Condition

Mr. Baxter claimed he could still hear snoring and thought Mr. Barron was asleep. When he returned with the food, Mr. Barron’s face had turned “deep purple” and he was no longer snoring. Mr. Baxter cut the ropes tied around Mr. Barron and tried to get a response.

Emergency services were called, and Mr. Baxter performed CPR while waiting for paramedics. Investigators later found he had searched on Google “if you accidentally kill someone by strangling them in sex do you go to prison.”

In response, Mr. Baxter said, “I decided to think about what could have killed Michael. I was worried I might have accidentally done something. The choking was the only thing I could think of.”

Current Status

Mr. Baxter, of Lakeside Rise, Blackley, denies manslaughter. The trial continues.