Metrolink-contracted worker accused of killing dad says text messages were 'banter'

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