Bill Baker KC & Simon Gurney Secure Manslaughter Conviction in Christmas Day Fatality Case

On Christmas Day 2024, Kirk Marsden, 37, was hit outside The Gate Bar and Grill on the corner of Moorgate Street, Blackburn, just after 4:45pm. He was taken to Royal Preston Hospital where he died on Boxing Day of “catastrophic internal injuries”.

Bill Baker KC (leading) and Simon Gurney (Junior) were instructed to prosecute James Ward, 58, of no fixed address, and were successful in securing a manslaughter conviction.

Ward was convicted unanimously by the jury following a two week trial at Preston Crown Court and will be sentenced on 6 March.

For media coverage please click here.

For more information, or to instruct Bill Baker KC or Simon Gurney, please contact Director of Clerking, David Wright.