Man, 39, seems in court docket charged with the manslaughter of tattoo artist throughout lockdown, in addition to assault and coercive and controlling behaviour
A 39-year-old man appeared in court today charged with the manslaughter of tattoo artist Georgina Ward.
Daniel Birtwistle is accused of killing the 24-year-old, from Dudley, West Midlands, during the second national lockdown in November 2020.
He is further charged with three counts of assault against her and two counts of coercive and controlling behaviour, as well as six further assaults and one of coercive and controlling behaviour, against three other women.
Birtwistle, who has tattoos covering his arms and much of his face, entered the dock at Wolverhampton Crown Court, wearing a black check shirt, black jumper and black jeans.
He spoke only to confirm his name to the court and entered no plea to any of the 13 charges he faces, as his barrister said they had not yet been shown sufficient evidence from the prosecution.
Keeping his conditional bail in place, Judge Michael Chambers KC told him he would need to be back in court to enter a plea on February 27 next year.
His counsel, Sean Sullivan, said his client had lost his employment, as a tattoo artist, following publicity around the case.
Georgina Ward was described by her family as a ‘daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend who brought laughter and light into the lives of those she touched’
Daniel Birtwistle is accused of killing Georgina Ward, 24, during the second national lockdown in November 2020
Birtwistle, who has tattoos covering his arms and much of his face, entered the dock at Wolverhampton Crown Court, wearing a black check shirt, black jumper and black jeans
He asked the judge to allow Birtwistle, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, access to his passport as it was his only form of identification and needed to access the benefits system.
Judge Chambers dismissed this application saying he would, ‘not be giving the defendant access to his passport when he faces such serious charges’.
‘I simply don’t believe there is no other way for him to access benefits,’ he added.
Georgina was highly regarded as a tattoo artist in the area where she lived.
Following her death, her family released a statement which read, ‘Georgina was a remarkable young woman. A daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend who brought laughter and light into the lives of those she touched.
‘She was a brilliant, creative and talented tattoo artist with a promising future and career in the industry, whose artwork is now a lasting legacy.
‘Georgina loved deeply and unconditionally, putting the needs of others above her own. Her capacity for empathy, and compassion towards people, animals and those less fortunate, was immeasurable.
‘She was a protector, a voice for the voiceless and a beacon of love in a world that often forgets the importance of kindness.
‘Georgina will be forever remembered and loved for her funny, caring nature and being unapologetically herself.
‘Our lives have been changed irrevocably by her loss, and she is missed beyond measure, which is an absolute testament to the person she was. Beautiful, inside and out.’
