Manchester Victoria tram death (11 June 2017): Murder arrest over 'push'

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Manchester Victoria tram death: Murder arrest over 'push'


The man was struck by a tram at Manchester Victoria at about 19:45 BST on Sunday

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was "pushed into a moving tram" and died at Manchester's Victoria station.

The man, believed to be in his 30s, was pushed, causing him to fall between the platform and tram, Greater Manchester Police said.

A Metrolink driver reported a collision at about 19:45 BST on Sunday, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM^▸ (Transport for Greater Manchester. )) said.

A 31-year-old woman is being questioned in police custody.

The woman arrested was not the tram driver, police confirmed.

Metrolink customer director Stephen Rhodes said he was "absolutely devastated" to hear someone had died.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the man died at the scene.

[TonyK]

An awful incident, whether deliberate or accidental.

[Chris from Nailsea]

An update, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Manchester tram death: Woman charged with murder

A woman has been charged with murder after a man was hit by a tram and died at Manchester's Victoria station.

Charrissa Loren Brown-Wellington, 31, is due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court.

The man, 30, who is yet to be named, was struck by the tram at about 19:50 BST on Sunday, Greater Manchester Police said.

There was disruption to services on the Bury line for several hours affecting those attending Parklife festival.

[Chris from Nailsea]

A further update, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Manchester tram push death: Woman jailed for five years

A woman who killed a stranger by pushing him into the path of a tram during a drunken row has been jailed.

Charissa Brown-Wellington, 31, shoved Philip Carter, 30, between two carriages at Manchester Victoria station on 11 June.

Mr Carter, from Blackley, was crushed by the tram and died at the scene.

Brown-Wellington, from Chadderton, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was given a five-year prison term at Manchester Crown Court.

The court heard that Brown-Wellington was drunk and under the influence of drugs when she became involved in an argument with Mr Carter, who had also been drinking, at the station.

She admitted pushing him but denied intending to cause him serious harm.

The court heard she had a lengthy criminal record of 65 offences, many of which involved violence.

In sentencing, Mr Justice William Davis told Brown-Wellington that although her actions were not unprovoked they were "completely unnecessary" and "aggressive".

"There was more than one victim in this case because the effect of what you did was so dreadful. It is merely yet another example of you reacting violently when faced with something you did not like very much," he said.

Mr Carter's family said he was "missed every minute of every day".

"We can try to repair our heartache although no matter how long the sentence is, it will not bring Phil back or make our loss any easier," they said.

On her release, Brown-Wellington will be subject to an extended licence period of three years as a dangerous offender.

Bob Tonge, senior investigating officer at Greater Manchester Police, said Mr Carter died in "the most horrific circumstances".

"He suffered a brutal death all because she lost her temper and she will now have to live with that as she carries out her prison sentence," he said.

[ChrisB]

5 years? A travesty frankly.

[TonyK]

5 years? A travesty frankly.

Very much the view of the man's family, according to press reports.

[chrisr_75]

One can only hope there is a successful prosecution appeal against this sentence.

I wonder had it been the other way round (man pushed woman under tram) if the sentence would have been so lenient?

[TonyK]

One can only hope there is a successful prosecution appeal against this sentence.

I wonder had it been the other way round (man pushed woman under tram) if the sentence would have been so lenient?

With a guilty plea at the first opportunity, and no proof of intent to cause serious harm (which would have made it murder), I am not sure that the appeal court would find the sentence unduly lenient.

[JayMac]

That really is unduly lenient for manslaughter by reason of loss of control. Very much at the lower end of sentences for that offence. The median is 10 years.

She was initially charged with murder, but the prosecution accepted the partial defence of loss of control, allowing her a guilty plea to manslaughter instead. Credit is given on sentencing for that guilty plea. Her five months on remand also reduce the sentence.

Still a very low tariff and I'd like to see an appeal for a sentence increase.

[TonyK]

That really is unduly lenient for manslaughter by reason of loss of control. Very much at the lower end of sentences for that offence. The median is 10 years.

She was initially charged with murder, but the prosecution accepted the partial defence of loss of control, allowing her a guilty plea to manslaughter instead. Credit is given on sentencing for that guilty plea. Her five months on remand also reduce the sentence.

Still a very low tariff and I'd like to see an appeal for a sentence increase.

Pedant alert - a tariff only applies to a life sentence, but I know what you mean. Time on remand would not reduce the length of a tariff, which begins only when sentence is handed down. It is taken off a fixed-term sentence, which is the case with this young lady.

I am sure that the Crown will ask for a review of the sentence IF it is thought that the outcome will be successful.

[JayMac]

Doesn't have to be Brenda doing the asking.

These days anyone can.

[TonyK]

Doesn't have to be Brenda doing the asking.

These days anyone can.

You may have out-pedanted me! Strictly speaking, only the Attorney General, a law officer of the Crown, can refer the case to the Appeal Court, although anyone can ask if he would be so kind as to do so.

[welshman]

The trouble with these cases is that the press reports are usually incomplete so you don't get the full picture.  In a case like this a plea of guilty would probably have been made "on a basis".   On other words, defence and prosecution would have agreed to a version of events and it would have been presented to the judge on that basis.

A guilty plea gives you up to a third off but even so the sentence seems light.  The judge, William Davis J, is an experienced criminal man.  For a time he was on the Sentencing Council, which lays down the guidelines  for judges to follow.  You would expect him, therefore, to get it right.

Here's a more detailed account.