Prison officer on manslaughter charge named (From Warrington Guardian)

Prison officer on manslaughter charge named

A PRISON officer charged with negligent manslaughter has been named in court.

Paul Smith allegedly committed the offence while working at HMP Rye Hill in Warwickshire.

The 39-year-old appeared before Daventry Magistrates Court on Thursday.

His three co-defendants are also prison officers and the case was dealt with at the exclusion of the public - criminal courts are usually open to anyone.

Mr Smith is from Warrington but his address, like his co-defendants, was listed as courtesy of his solicitor.

He has been charged over the death of Michael Bailey, a 23-year-old drug dealer from Birmingham who was found hanged in his cell in the vulnerable prisoners segregation unit last year.

Mr Smith was committed to appear before Northampton Crown Court on June 23 for a plea and directions hearing.

Three of the four prison officers have left the company and one is suspended pending the outcome of the court case.