Daniel Birtwistle charged with manslaughter in Georgina Ward death

A man from Tamworth has been charged with manslaughter and multiple counts of assault and controlling and coercive behaviour in connection with the death of a 24-year-old woman found at her home in Brierley Hill, Dudley, in November 2020. Daniel Birtwistle, 39, was charged on Wednesday following an investigation by West Midlands Police and a consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

West Midlands Police said Birtwistle faces a total of 13 offences. Those include one count of manslaughter and, in relation to Georgina Ward, two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour and three counts of assault. He has also been charged with six further counts of assault and one count of controlling and coercive behaviour in relation to three other women. Police allege the assaults on Ms Ward occurred on dates between May 2020 and late November 2020, and that controlling and coercive behaviour took place between August 2019 and September 2020 and during November 2020.

Birtwistle appeared by video link at Dudley Magistrates Court on Thursday, where he confirmed his name and date of birth but was not asked to enter a plea. Magistrates granted bail with conditions that he must not contact...