A man facing trial for the alleged killing of his Grindr acquaintance has shared the moment he witnessed his supposed victim turning ‘purple’. Michael Barron, aged 38, had arranged to meet Josh Baxter for a sexual encounter after connecting on the dating app in January of the previous year. Barron was found deceased in Baxter’s residence in Blackley, north Manchester on 26 January, having suffered from cerebral hypoxia leading to cardiac arrest. Prosecutors assert that Baxter had a ‘sexual motivation for high-risk sexual activity’ and allegedly strangled and choked Barron with such force that it caused bone and cartilage fractures.
Baxter, aged 28, denies manslaughter charges and is currently on trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester. Evidence presented to the jury reveals that the pair initially communicated on Grindr before continuing their interaction on WhatsApp. In their conversations, Baxter, who claimed to work at Wetherspoons, reportedly expressed preferences for ‘rough’ activities, including choking, tying up, and engaging in rape role play. Barron, in turn, indicated a desire for being ‘tied, gagged, hooded, totally helpless,’ and experiencing ‘pain and torture’. Baxter, testifying for the first time during the trial, described these exchanges as ‘fantasy’ and ‘role play’ with no intention to harm Barron.
According to Baxter, Barron arrived at his flat around 4:27 pm, and they engaged in discussions about various topics before transitioning to sexual conversations and boundaries. They consumed alcohol and eventually moved to the bedroom where physical intimacy ensued. Baxter admitted to applying pressure intermittently while choking Barron, with both parties indicating satisfaction with the encounter. After a nap, Baxter noticed Barron’s alarming change in color, attempted to revive him, and eventually called emergency services. Baxter denied any intention to harm Barron and expressed shock over the outcome.
The trial continues as Baxter, residing in Blackley, maintains his plea of not guilty to manslaughter charges.
