Three men have been charged with manslaughter and affray after a 29 March altercation outside a pub in Irlam that left a man critically ill and later deceased.
Charges brought months after incident
Greater Manchester Police attended reports of an incident on Liverpool Road at about 2.40am on Sunday 29 March. A man, subsequently named by media as Ben Wright, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he died two days later.
Police arrested three men in their 20s at the time. GMP has now charged them in connection with the incident: Cole Churchill, 20, of Morillion Road, Irlam; Jacob Hall, 19, of Chapel Street, Leigh; and Connor Lee Browne, 19, of Bowness Avenue, Irlam. Each faces charges of manslaughter and affray. All three are due to make a first appearance at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 21 August.
Local response and community impact
The incident prompted an immediate police cordon around Dessie’s Place pub. Friends and acquaintances of the deceased organised a fundraising appeal which, at the time of reporting, raised about £19,000 to assist with funeral costs.
“Ben truly loved his family and his friends, enjoyed socialising, and was happiest when everyone around him was having a good time,”
The pub where the events unfolded described the victim as a former member of staff and a well-known regular, offering a public tribute to his memory.
- Incident: Altercation outside Dessie’s Place, Liverpool Road, Irlam
- Date and time: Around 2.40am, 29 March
- Outcome: Victim taken to hospital, died two days later
- Defendants charged: Cole Churchill, Jacob Hall, Connor Lee Browne
- Court appearance: Manchester Magistrates’ Court, 21 August
| Key date | Detail |
|---|---|
| 29 March | Reported altercation on Liverpool Road, Irlam (c. 2.40am) |
| 31 March | Victim died in hospital two days after the incident |
| 21 August | First court appearance scheduled for the three defendants |
What happens next
Legal proceedings will begin with the defendants' first appearance at magistrates’ court on 21 August; further hearings will follow as the case progresses through the criminal justice system. Charges of manslaughter carry a range of potential outcomes but will require the prosecution to prove unlawful killing beyond reasonable doubt.
Members of the public with information about the incident may still be able to assist the investigation; anyone with relevant details should contact Greater Manchester Police. The case has also attracted local sympathy and fundraising support for the bereaved family.
Further coverage will follow as court hearings take place and police provide updates.
