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Woman jailed for killing man she pushed into Manchester tram Woman jailed for killing man she pushed into Manchester tram
(35 minutes later)
A woman who pushed a man into the path of a moving tram has been jailed for five years. A woman who pushed a man into the path of a moving tram in Manchester has been jailed for five years.
Philip Carter, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision at Victoria station in Manchester city centre on 11 June. Charissa Brown-Wellington, 31, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Philip Carter, 30, last month at Manchester crown court. Carter was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision at Victoria station in Manchester on 11 June.
Charissa Brown-Wellington, 31, pleaded guilty at Manchester crown court last month to the manslaughter of Carter. The court heard that Brown-Wellington was “significantly affected” by alcohol and ecstasy when she got into an argument at a tram stop with Carter, a stranger who had also been drinking.
The defendant must serve two-thirds of her sentence in prison before she can be considered for parole.
On her release she will be subject to an extended licence period of three years.
The court heard Brown-Wellington was “significantly affected” by alcohol and drugs when she became involved in an “exchange of abuse” at the Metrolink stop with Carter, who had also been drinking.
Sentencing, Mr Justice William Davis told her: “That’s as far as it should have gone ... but no, you reacted by pushing him forcefully and as it happened pushed him in in the direction of a tram just as it was moving away.Sentencing, Mr Justice William Davis told her: “That’s as far as it should have gone ... but no, you reacted by pushing him forcefully and as it happened pushed him in in the direction of a tram just as it was moving away.
“He fell backwards and tragically fell between two cars of the tram. He was crushed to death in full view of any number of bystanders. “He fell backwards and tragically fell between two cars of the tram. He was crushed to death in full view of any number of bystanders. There was more than one victim in this case because the effect of what you did was so dreadful. There was nothing accidental about you losing your temper and pushing this man forcefully.”
“There was more than one victim in this case because the effect of what you did was so dreadful. The judge said he accepted the defendant did not intend to kill or seriously harm Carter, but he noted she had a criminal record of 65 convictions including violent offences. “The reality is that, though what you did was not unprovoked, it was completely unnecessary and it was aggressive,” he said.
“There was nothing accidental about you losing your temper and pushing this man forcefully.” The court heard that Brown-Wellington had a personality disorder which resulted in acts of “impulsive violence”. Just before the judge passed sentence, a tearful Brown-Wellington cried from the dock: “It was an accident. I swear it was.”
The judge said he accepted the defendant did not intend to kill or seriously harm Carter, but he noted she had a “long, bad” criminal record including offences of violence. Rob Hall, prosecuting, said that CCTV captured the defendant getting off a tram at about 7.45pm and arguing with Carter, who was holding a bottle of alcohol.
He said: “The reality is that though what you did was not unprovoked it was completely unnecessary and it was aggressive. “As the defendant got off the tram she was heard to say, ‘What are you looking at?’” said Hall. “Mr Carter said something back to her, the defendant turned and walked towards him shouting, ‘You what? what the fuck did you say?’” The row escalated as both told each other to “get the fuck out of my face”, the court heard.
“It is merely yet another example of you reacting violently when faced with something you did not like very much.” A push followed with both hands to his chest which led to Carter falling off the platform. Carter suffered multiple crush injuries and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Brown-Wellington, who is said to have a personality disorder which leads to acts of “impulsive violence”, posed a significant risk of causing harm to the public until she “gets a grip” on her emotional wellbeing and substance misuse, the judge ruled. On her arrival at a police station after she was arrested, Brown-Wellington told officers: “He should not have put his finger in my face. All my life I have had to put up with men putting their hands around me.”
Just before he passed sentence, a tearful Brown-Wellington cried from the dock: “It was an accident. I swear it was.”
Carter suffered multiple crush injuries and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
On her arrival at a local police station after she was arrested, Brown-Wellington told officers: “He should not have put his finger in my face. All my life I have had to put up with men putting their hands around me.”
The court heard the defendant had 65 previous convictions including offences of assaulting police officers, affray and threatening behaviour. On one occasion she had used a weapon in committing an offence.