A man facing trial for the alleged killing of his Grindr date has described the moment he observed his supposed victim turn ‘purple’. Michael Barron had arranged to meet Josh Baxter for a sexual encounter after connecting on the dating app in January of the previous year. Mr. Barron, 38, went to Mr. Baxter’s residence in Blackley, in the northern part of Manchester.
Mr. Barron was discovered deceased in the apartment on January 26, having suffered from cerebral hypoxia, a condition resulting from inadequate oxygen supply to the brain, leading to cardiac arrest. Prosecutors argue that Mr. Baxter was motivated by a ‘sexual desire for high-risk sexual activity’, alleging that he strangled and asphyxiated Mr. Barron with such force that it caused a fractured bone and cartilage.
Mr. Baxter, 28, denies manslaughter charges and is currently on trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester. The jury learned that the two initially connected on the Grindr app before continuing their conversation on WhatsApp.
Mr. Baxter, claiming to work at Wetherspoons, purportedly informed Mr. Barron, also 38, through messages that he preferred a ‘rough’ approach. He allegedly inquired if Mr. Barron would consent to activities such as ‘choking him, tying him up, pulling his hair, spitting on him, calling him names, getting him intoxicated to a vulnerable state, and hitting him’, as detailed in court proceedings.
He also reportedly asked if Mr. Barron would participate in ‘rape role play’. Mr. Barron, in return, expressed his preference for being ‘bound, gagged, hooded, completely helpless,’ and enduring ‘pain and suffering’. Mr. Baxter, testifying in his defense for the first time during the trial, denied any intention to harm Mr. Barron, characterizing their interactions as mere ‘fantasy’ and ‘role play’.
The jury heard that Mr. Barron arrived at Mr. Baxter’s residence at 4:27 pm. According to Mr. Baxter, they conversed in the living room about various topics, including their favorite movies. He mentioned that their discussion eventually shifted to sexual matters and their respective boundaries. The defendant claimed that Mr. Barron did not request a ‘safe word’.
Mr. Baxter recounted that they shared rose wine while Mr. Barron drank vodka. He described their interaction as friendly, stating they were ‘getting along well’ and ‘enjoying each other’s company’. Just before 6 pm, they left the apartment to buy more alcohol from a nearby store, purchasing a bottle of vodka and two bottles of lemonade. Mr. Baxter admitted to feeling ‘slightly intoxicated’ and believed Mr. Barron felt the same.
He testified that shortly after their return, they began kissing in the living room before moving to the bedroom. Mr. Baxter claimed they removed their shirts and continued kissing on the bed.
“That’s when I initiated choking,” Mr. Baxter informed the jury, stating that he applied pressure ‘intermittently’ for about ‘five seconds’. He recounted that afterward, both of them took off their underwear. Mr. Baxter mentioned that Mr. Barron did not show any discomfort or ask him to stop.
He noted that Mr. Barron’s vocalizations remained consistent. “They were pleasurable sounds, like pleasurable grunts and moans,” the defendant described. According to Mr. Baxter, a ‘smiling’ Mr. Barron then inquired: “Aren’t you going to bind me?”
Mr. Baxter explained that Mr. Barron repositioned himself on the bed to lie face down. He stated he used four pieces of rope to secure his arms and legs, ensuring they were loose enough for Mr. Barron to move. Mr. Baxter confirmed they engaged in penetrative intercourse. He claimed that afterward, Mr. Barron expressed enjoyment, and they began to ‘cuddle’.
Mr. Baxter recalled falling asleep on top of Mr. Barron, waking up to his snoring. Subsequently, Mr. Baxter got out of bed, put on his robe, and started looking online for food. He ordered two chicken burgers, chips, and onion rings from a nearby eatery in Cheetham Hill. Regarding the burgers, Mr. Baxter mentioned: “One for me, and one for Michael.”
The defendant stated that as the food was about to arrive, he tried to wake up Mr. Barron. However, he noticed a portion of Mr. Barron’s face had turned a ‘light purple’.
Mr. Baxter stated he could hear snoring and breathing. “I didn’t think it was serious; I assumed he was asleep,” the defendant informed the court. Shortly afterward, he left the apartment to collect their food order downstairs, indicating he had no reason to suspect Mr. Barron might be in a medical emergency.
“As I returned with the food,