A man has been acquitted of the murder of his Grindr companion following a trial that revealed they engaged in high-risk sexual activities. Josh Baxter, 28, was charged with the death of 38-year-old Michael Barron, who visited Baxter’s residence in Manchester after exchanging explicit messages.

During their initial encounter, Baxter bound Mr. Barron with rope on the bed, leading to a fatal incident where Mr. Barron suffered a cardiac arrest due to lack of oxygen to the brain. Despite prosecutors claiming Baxter choked Mr. Barron severely, resulting in bone and cartilage fractures, Baxter denied any intentional harm, stating that Mr. Barron’s demise was accidental.

Baxter, in his defense, maintained that Mr. Barron’s death was not his intent and denied charges of manslaughter, intentional strangulation, and causing grievous bodily harm. Following more than nine hours of deliberation, the jury acquitted Baxter of manslaughter but found him guilty of intentional strangulation and unlawfully inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The court proceedings revealed a series of explicit messages between the pair, indicating their mutual interest in rough sexual activities. Baxter’s defense argued that Mr. Barron had consented to the acts, including discussions involving restraint and role-playing scenarios.

Phone records suggested that after sourcing drugs and alcohol, the pair engaged in sexual activities, with Mr. Barron being restrained and wearing a mask. Baxter claimed he only realized there was an issue when Mr. Barron’s condition deteriorated, leading to his eventual death.

Despite the incriminating evidence, Baxter maintained that the incident was accidental and that he never intended harm towards Mr. Barron. His defense highlighted his shock and trauma following the event, portraying him as a non-criminal individual who was not malicious in his actions.

The defense lawyer urged the jurors to consider Baxter’s innocence, describing him as a good-natured individual who had inadvertently found himself in a tragic situation. Baxter, residing in Lakeside Rise, Blackley, awaits sentencing after being remanded in custody.

This case sheds light on the complexities surrounding consent, risk-taking behavior, and the tragic consequences that can arise from high-risk activities in intimate relationships.