PC Gareth Francis death: Man charged with manslaughter

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A man has been charged with manslaughter following the death of an off-duty police officer in Stockport.

PC Gareth Francis, 28, was walking home from a night out when he was attacked in Castle Street, Edgeley, at 01:20 GMT on 20 January.

He was taken to hospital with a serious head injury but died later.

Westley Holland, 20, of Laburnum Way, Stockport, is due to appear before Stockport Magistrates on Thursday.

A post-mortem examination concluded that PC Francis died from a head injury caused by a single punch.

A 21-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released without charge, police said.