Man Appears in Court Charged with Tattoo Artist's Manslaughter
A 39-year-old man has appeared before a crown court facing charges relating to the death of a young tattoo artist during the second national lockdown.
Daniel Birtwistle stood in the dock at Wolverhampton Crown Court accused of the manslaughter of 24-year-old Georgina Ward from Dudley, West Midlands. The alleged offence occurred in November 2020.
Multiple Charges Laid Before Court
Birtwistle faces a total of thirteen charges relating to four different women. Beyond the manslaughter accusation, he is charged with three counts of assault against Ms. Ward and two counts of coercive and controlling behaviour towards her.
The prosecution further alleges a pattern of behaviour against three other women, comprising six additional assault charges and one more count of coercive and controlling behaviour.
Appearing in court wearing a black check shirt, black jumper, and black jeans, Birtwistle, whose arms and much of his face are covered in tattoos, spoke only to confirm his name.
Case Adjourned as Bail Conditions Maintained
No pleas were entered to any of the thirteen charges. His barrister, Sean Sullivan, informed the court that the defence had not yet been provided with sufficient evidence from the prosecution to proceed.
Judge Michael Chambers KC maintained Birtwistle's conditional bail but rejected an application from the defence for the defendant to have access to his passport.
Mr Sullivan had argued that the passport was his client's only form of identification, needed to access the benefits system after Birtwistle lost his job as a tattoo artist due to publicity surrounding the case.
Judge Chambers dismissed this, stating he would 'not be giving the defendant access to his passport when he faces such serious charges'. The judge added, 'I simply don't believe there is no other way for him to access benefits.'
The case was adjourned, and Birtwistle is required to return to court to enter a plea on February 27 next year.
Family's Tribute to a 'Beacon of Love'
Following her death, the family of Georgina Ward released a moving tribute to the talented artist, describing her as a 'remarkable young woman'.
They said she was a 'daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend who brought laughter and light into the lives of those she touched'.
The statement highlighted her promising career, noting she was a 'brilliant, creative and talented tattoo artist' whose artwork is now a lasting legacy.
It continued: 'Georgina loved deeply and unconditionally... She was a protector, a voice for the voiceless and a beacon of love in a world that often forgets the importance of kindness.'
Her family concluded that their lives had been 'changed irrevocably by her loss', remembering her as 'beautiful, inside and out'.
