A 39-year-old man faced court today, charged with the manslaughter of Georgina Ward, a tattoo artist.

Daniel Birtwistle stands accused of causing the death of 24-year-old Georgina, a resident of Dudley, West Midlands, during the second national lockdown in November 2020.

In addition, Birtwistle is facing three counts of assault against Georgina and two charges of coercive and controlling behavior. He is also charged with six additional assaults and another count of coercive and controlling behavior involving three other women.

Appearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Birtwistle, whose arms and much of his face are adorned with tattoos, wore a black check shirt, black jumper, and black jeans.

During the proceedings, he only spoke to confirm his identity, not entering any pleas to the 13 charges against him, as his defense lawyer noted the prosecution had yet to provide adequate evidence.

Judge Michael Chambers KC maintained Birtwistle’s conditional bail and instructed him to return to court on February 27 next year to enter a plea.

His counsel, Sean Sullivan, said his client had lost his employment, as a tattoo artist, following publicity around the case.

Georgina Ward was described by her family as a ‘daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend who brought laughter and light into the lives of those she touched’ 

Daniel Birtwistle is accused of killing Georgina Ward, 24, during the second national lockdown in November 2020

Birtwistle, who has tattoos covering his arms and much of his face, entered the dock at Wolverhampton Crown Court, wearing a black check shirt, black jumper and black jeans

He asked the judge to allow Birtwistle, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, access to his passport as it was his only form of identification and needed to access the benefits system.

Judge Chambers dismissed this application saying he would, ‘not be giving the defendant access to his passport when he faces such serious charges’. 

‘I simply don’t believe there is no other way for him to access benefits,’ he added.

Georgina was highly regarded as a tattoo artist in the area where she lived.

Following her death, her family released a statement which read, ‘Georgina was a remarkable young woman. A daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend who brought laughter and light into the lives of those she touched.

‘She was a brilliant, creative and talented tattoo artist with a promising future and career in the industry, whose artwork is now a lasting legacy.

‘Georgina loved deeply and unconditionally, putting the needs of others above her own. Her capacity for empathy, and compassion towards people, animals and those less fortunate, was immeasurable.

‘She was a protector, a voice for the voiceless and a beacon of love in a world that often forgets the importance of kindness.

‘Georgina will be forever remembered and loved for her funny, caring nature and being unapologetically herself.

‘Our lives have been changed irrevocably by her loss, and she is missed beyond measure, which is an absolute testament to the person she was. Beautiful, inside and out.’