Pastor charged after man drowned during baptism

A pastor has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after a man died during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham.

Robert Smith, 61, from Brixton, London, died from drowning at an address on Slade Road, Erdington, on 8 October 2023.

Cheryl Bartley, 48, was charged one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her role as a pastor during the baptism, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Bartley, of Erdington, will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 14 May.

The BBC previously reported that the man was taking part in the ceremony carried out by Life Changing Ministries in a small pool in the property's garden.

The baptism event was streamed live on the church's Facebook page, but the stream was cut during the event and the video later removed.

Smith had reportedly travelled to Birmingham to be baptised, according to a Facebook post at the time of his death, which said he had been a member of the church for four years.

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS's special crime division, said they had worked closely with West Midlands Police as it carried out an investigation.

"We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that she has the right to a fair trial," he added.

"It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

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