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Ian Baynham was punched and kicked to death
Ian Baynham
Three teenagers charged with manslaughter of gay man
Three teenagers have been charged with the manslaughter of Ian Baynham, the gay man who died on Tuesday after being punched and kicked to death in Trafalgar Square.
Joel Alexander, 19, of Talbot Road, Thornton Heath, south London, and two 17-year-old girls, one from Penge, south-east London and the other from Thornton Heath, will appear at City of Westminster magistrates court today.
Baynham's life support machine was switched off on Tuesday night. He had suffered severe brain damage after being attacked on September 25.
Baynham, 62, was walking near to the South African high commission with a 30-year-old friend when a woman allegedly began shouting homophobic abuse at him. Reportedly, when he remonstrated with her she attacked him and her male friend punched him and then kicked him as he lay on the ground.
Three teenagers were captured on CCTV arguing with Baynham and his friend, who was later treated for minor injuries. According to the police, they had earlier been witnessed shouting abuse at other people.
"Mr Baynham was a 62-year-old man who was simply travelling to enjoy a night out with a friend when he was attacked with such tragic consequences," Detective Chief Inspector Clive Heys told the Evening Standard last week.
