'I thought he was reaching for a knife', Metrolink contractor court over death of man 'pinned to ground'
A public transport worker has recounted the final minutes of the life of a young man he is accused of unlawfully killing. Jack Barnes, 28, suffered a cardiac arrest after a lengthy chase through Manchester city centre by four Metrolink contractors before being pinned down on the ground.
The victim, from Hull, who repeatedly called out “I can’t breathe” was resuscitated at the scene after the incident late on October 11, 2016 but never regained consciousness and died several weeks later in hospital.
Yesterday (February 5), Matthew Sellers was the first of the four men, who all deny manslaughter, to begin giving evidence at their trial at Liverpool Crown Court, telling the jury he thought Mr Barnes was reaching for a knife. While he was in the witness box, footage from his body worn camera was played to the court showing an initial confrontation with Mr Barnes and his companions followed by the chase and his restraint outside the Australasia Bar on Deansgate.
Mr Sellers, 30, of Heathfield Road, Bury, explained that he had been contracted to work for Metrolink by his employers Palladium but had not been given any training by Metrolink. The jury has heard that the role of the four defendants involved helping customers and dealing with anti-social behaviour.
Mr Sellers said that during the 18 months he was in the role he was sworn at every day and there would be physical altercations about once a fortnight which were recorded on his body worn camera.
Questioned by his barrister, Michael Hayton, KC, he agreed that he was aware of Metrolink’s ‘Walk Away’ policy which meant that if someone was being aggressive the staff had to walk away. He agreed that this policy was not always adhered to.
On the night, he arrived at Victoria