A CHRISTIAN pastor has appeared in court charged with killing a man who drowned in a back garden baptism ceremony.
Robert Smith, 61, died at an address in Erdington, West Midlands, on October 8, 2023.
Robert Smith drowned at a baptism ceremony
Cheryl Bartley has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter Credit: Facebook
The Parkinson’s sufferer was being baptised in a paddling pool by Life Changing Ministries Cheryl Bartley when the horror unfolded.
Bartley, 48, appeared at Magistrates’ Court today charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter.
JPs were told Robert was submerged in the water for around four minutes.
Bartley had allegedly “encouraged” him to enter the water before he died, it was said.
Prosecutor Amreena Begum said: “Mr Smith was suffering from Parkinson’s disease and he clearly had physical disabilities which we see in terms of his difficulties to walk, his tremors, his stiffness.”
Bartley will next appear at Birmingham Crown Court on June 11.
Malcolm McHaffie, head of the special division, said previously: “We have decided to prosecute Cheryl Bartley, 48, with one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her role as a pastor during a baptism.
“This follows the death of 61-year-old Robert Smith from Brixton in south London, who died from drowning at an address in Slade Road, Erdington on 8 October 2023.
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We have worked closely with West Midlands as it has carried out its investigation.”
Emergency crews were scrambled to a private address in Birmingham shortly after 1.30pm in October 2023.
Grandad-of-seven Robert was given “advanced life support” but sadly could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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