In a tragic incident, Stephen Rowlands, one of four public transport workers, is on trial for the unlawful killing of 28-year-old Jack Barnes, who was restrained face down for nine minutes. Rowlands, 68, a former policeman, has denied applying a choke-hold during the encounter.

Evidence presented in Liverpool Crown Court includes body camera footage of Rowlands allegedly telling Mr Barnes, “If you struggle I’ll put you to sleep. It won’t kill you, but you will go to sleep for a while,” shortly after Mr Barnes pleaded, “not my neck, I’m not resisting.”

Under cross-examination by prosecutor Jason Pitter, KC, Rowlands described his remarks as a “glib throw away comment” and insisted he never intended to apply pressure to Mr Barnes's neck. He claimed he had no knowledge of how to perform a choke hold and that it is something he would never do.

While Mr Barnes was being restrained, Rowlands' colleague Matthew Sellers attended to Mr Barnes' companion, Craig Nevet, resulting in no footage of the restraint on Mr Barnes. Rowlands asserted he was not responsible for putting Mr Barnes to sleep and that he did not know how to execute such a technique.

When asked if he understood that making someone unconscious could be risky, Rowlands affirmed, "Absolutely it is," and acknowledged that his training would have included instruction against placing hands on someone's neck while restraining them.

Rowlands, from Westhoughton, is involved in the trial alongside Sellers, 30, Brian Fogerty, 51, and 50-year-old Gartside. All four men deny manslaughter charges stemming from a chase through Manchester city centre on October 11, 2016, following disturbances at Victoria railway station and nearby tram lines.

The situation escalated after Mr Barnes, who had been smoking Spice and exhibiting aggressive behavior, confronted staff members. CCTV footage showed an altercation where Mr Barnes reportedly jabbed at Sellers while attempting to escape before being pursued and restrained by the defendants.

During the restraint, Rowlands testified that he witnessed Mr Barnes initially breathing normally, but then became unresponsive. He expressed concerns as Mr Barnes lost consciousness and failed to find a pulse. Subsequently, Rowlands attempted CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene.

Rowlands defended his actions, emphasizing the distress of the event and downplaying any deliberate falsehoods in his subsequent police statement. The case is still ongoing as the jury deliberates the circumstances surrounding Mr Barnes's tragic death.