The family of Gavin Brown, who died on 20 April 2019 following an altercation outside a pub in Stretford, have submitted an application for a Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) of the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to bring charges against any of the four individuals who were investigated by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in relation to Gavin’s death.

In September 2020, Gavin’s family were informed that the CPS had reviewed the evidence obtained through GMP’s investigation and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

A two-week jury inquest held at Stockport Coroner’s Court in December 2021 concluded that father-of-two Gavin, who was restrained in a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)-style “choke hold” outside the Melville pub for over six minutes by a member of the public, had been unlawfully killed. Gavin’s ability to breathe had been restricted and he entered cardiac arrest. He suffered irreversible hypoxic brain damage and died eight days later at Salford Royal Infirmary.

Following the inquest into Gavin’s death, HM Assistant Coroner Andrew Bridgeman referred the case back to GMP to reinvestigate. GMP subsequently made a referral to the CPS for a charging decision.

In October 2022, Gavin’s family received the news that, despite a further review of the evidence obtained during the Police investigation and as part of Gavin’s inquest, a Specialist Prosecutor had again concluded that there was insufficient evidence to bring charges against the four individuals who were investigated in relation to Gavin’s death. In December 2022, the family applied to the CPS for a Victims’ Right to Review.

Gavin’s family said: “It has been nearly four years since we lost Gavin, and we are still fighting for justice. The decision by the CPS not to prosecute those responsible for Gavin’s death is devastating, and something we cannot come to terms with. We refuse to give up on our pursuit for truth and accountability.”

Gavin’s family are represented by Lucie Boase of Broudie Jackson Canter solicitors, who said:

“The decision by the CPS not to take further action against the individuals whose actions and inactions precipitated Gavin’s death is hugely disappointing. It appears to send the message that people can act with impunity, without fear of punishment by the law. A prosecution in this case is crucial in upholding public confidence in the criminal justice system and this has informed the family’s decision to seek a Victims’ Right to Review.”

The outcome of the CPS’s review is expected this spring.

Get in touch with Lucie Boase.