Lancaster FC fan train manslaughter jury is addressed by defence lawyers

The defence counsel in the case of a brother and sister accused of the manslaughter of a Lancaster FC fan on a train have begun their closing speeches to the jury.
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Brother and sister David Noble, 32, of Main Street, Grange, and Nicola Cavin, 22, of Market Street, Grange are on trial at a Nightingale Court at Preston North End's football ground.

A post mortem examination found David Clark had choked to death on food.

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It is alleged the siblings, who were returning from a day out in Blackpool, force fed fast food into his mouth as he slept on the Preston to Barrow service on March 2, 2019.

Silverdale stationSilverdale station
Silverdale station

Medics recovered kebab meat the "size of a golf ball" from his airway, after he collapsed on the busy train at Silverdale station but he died the next morning.

The court has heard evidence that Mr Clark had suffered previous choking episodes, including one a month before his death in a pub.

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Silverdale train passenger tried to give first aid to man as he choked on food, ...

He said: " This choking tendency was there.

"Four incidents in four years and curiously all of them, or at least three of them, at a time when alcohol has become involved."

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He referred to evidence from a medical expert that a person's gag reflex, although automatic, could be impaired by a substantial quantity of alcohol.

The barrister also asked jurors to consider that a key witness and his partner, who were sitting next to each other on the train, had given accounts that were " different and inconsistent with each other."

(proceeding)

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