Pastor charged after man drowned during baptism

A pastor has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after a man died during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham.

Robert Smith, 61, from Brixton, London, died from drowning at an address on Slade Road, Erdington, on 8 October 2023.

Cheryl Bartley, 48, was charged one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her role as a pastor during the baptism, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Bartley, of Erdington, will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 14 May.

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS's special crime division, said they had worked closely with West Midlands Police as it carried out an investigation.

"We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that she has the right to a fair trial," he added.

"It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.