Manslaughter charge after Wetherspoons death

Paul Colin Morrison, 51, from Burton Leonard, died at Harrogate District Hospital three weeks after he was allegedly assaulted in the beer garden of Wetherspoons in Harrogate.

A 44-year-old Harrogate man was re-arrested on Tuesday (November 25) and charged wih manslaughter, he had previously been charged with grievous bodily harm without intent. He has now been bailed until December 16.

Mr Morrison had been in a critical condition since the incident, which occurred at the Wetherspoons Royal Baths pub on Parliament Street at about 7.30pm on Saturday November 1.

The 51-year-old was described as ‘large than life’ by his family.

Paying tribute, Mr Morrison’s wife Lisa and children Marie, Leah and Joe said: “He was a devoted family man, friend and businessman who will leave a hole which can’t be filled.”

The investigation team is still appealing for potential witnesses to come forward who were inside the Wetherspoons pub prior to alleged assault in the rear beer garden area.

Detective Sergeant Steve Menzies, of Harrogate CID, said: “In particular, we have established that Mr Morrison and the other alleged victim were with a group of men who may have been talking to some women inside the pub. Mr Morrison is then believed to have chatted to a woman in the beer garden just before he was injured.

“There is no suggestion that these general conversations were in anyway linked to the alleged assaults that followed, but it is vitally important that these women contact the police as soon as possible to assist the investigation.”

If you can help, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Harrogate CID.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference number 12140189150.