Man charged with manslaughter of Sunderland pensioner

It follows an incident in Newlands Avenue, Tunstall in Sunderland when Joan Barnett, 87, suffered injuries and was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital where she subsequently died.

The man also been jointly charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, along with three other men, in connection with four offences involving vulnerable people in the North East.

Following a police investigation four men all from Hartlepool have also been charged with offences.

They are all due to appear before Sunderland Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, April 26, and are: William Levi Gales, 44, of Borrowdale Street, who has also been charged with manslaughter, Phillip Robert Orton, 54, of Windemere Road, Michael Anthony Gales, 27, of Brenda Road, and Lee Davidson, 30, of Chepstow Walk.