Man Charged with Manslaughter and Coercive Behaviour Following Death of Tattoo Artist

A man has been charged with manslaughter, assault, and coercive and controlling behaviour following the death of a 24-year-old tattoo artist, Georgina Ward. Daniel Birtwistle, 39, appeared in court by video link, where he confirmed his name and date of birth. The charges relate to Ward, whom he dated between August 2019 and November 2020. Birtwistle has also been charged with further offences including assault and coercive behaviour in relation to three other women.

Key Takeaways:

• Daniel Birtwistle, 39, has been charged with manslaughter, assault, and coercive and controlling behaviour in relation to Georgina Ward, a 24-year-old tattoo artist who was found dead at her Dudley home in November 2020.
• Birtwistle has been charged with two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour and three counts of assault in relation to Ward.
• He has also been charged with a further six counts of assault and one count of controlling and coercive behaviour in relation to three other women.
• Birtwistle was bailed until his next court appearance, with conditions including not making contact with the alleged victims and living at a specific address.
• The case is due to appear at Wolverhampton crown court on 13 November for a plea and case management hearing.

Statistics:

• 24 years old: Georgina Ward's age at the time of her death.
• 2019-2020: The duration of Birtwistle's relationship with Ward.
• 3: The number of other women against whom Birtwistle is charged with assault and coercive behaviour.
• 6: The number of additional counts of assault against three other women.
• 13 November: The date of Birtwistle's next court appearance for a plea and case management hearing.

Sources:

• A man has been charged with manslaughter, assault, and coercive and controlling behaviour (The Guardian, no date).
• Daniel Birtwistle, 39, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, appeared by video link at Dudley magistrates court on Thursday morning (Metro, no date).
• Georgina was a remarkable young woman, a brilliant, creative and talented tattoo artist with a promising future and career in the industry (Statement from Georgina's family, via BBC News, no date).