Six charged in death of Manchester pensioner

Victim was dragged by a van on his 70th birthday.

Published 10th May 2016

Six men have been charged in connection with the death of 70 year-old James Ray in Ashton-Under-Lyne.

The following have been charged with manslaughter, aggravated vehicle taking and conspiracy to steal:

Mark Patrick Ward Jnr

Patrick John McDonagh

Patrick Cawley

The following men have been charged with conspiracy to steal:

Mark Patrick Ward Snr

Faisal Hussain .

Leslie John Simpson

All of the men, with the exception of Leslie John Simpson, have been remanded to appear before Tameside Magistrates Court tomorrow, Wednesday 11 May 2016. Leslie John Simpson has been bailed to appear at the same court on the same date.

Shortly after 12.05pm on Thursday 12 November 2015, police were called to Plantation Industrial Estate in Ashton-Under-Lyne to a report of serious assault.

Emergency services attended and discovered 69-year-old James Ray with serious head injuries. He was taken to Hope Hospital where he tragically died in the early hours of Friday 13th November 2015, on what would have been his 70th birthday.

Mr Ray’s van was stolen was stolen from the scene and later found abandoned on Clarence Street in Stalybridge.