Man jailed after Emmerdale actor died during ‘extreme’ Grindr encounter

A man has been jailed for four years for strangling an Emmerdale actor to death during, what the court described as, an “extreme sexual encounter” from Grindr.

Michael Barron, a 38-year-old actor who appeared in both Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, died 26 January 2025 at a flat in Manchester belonging to Josh Baxter, 28, who Barron met on gay dating app Grindr.

Prior to meeting in-person, the two men exchanged messages about their shared interest in rough sex.

Baxter, of Blackley, was handed the four-year sentence at Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday (24 February) after previously being found guilty of intentional strangulation or suffocation and unlawfully inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The court heard how both men were part of the BDSM community, with Barron having told Baxter he enjoyed “pain and torture” and liked being “tied, gagged, hooded, totally helpless”.

During their hook-up, Baxter had Barron consume large quantities of vodka which rendered him intoxicated, before choking him for a minimum of 30 minutes.

READ MORE: Police told to reinvestigate man’s death after suspected Grindr blackmail

The force of this activity was so strong it fractured bone and cartilage in the 38-year-old’s neck and Barron died after going into cardiac arrest following a lack of oxygen to his brain.

Baxter maintained the act of strangulation was consensual and the injury was inflicted accidentally.

“I never saw it as a dangerous activity. I have never hurt someone before, doing choking,” Baxter told the court.

However, the court heard that prior to Barron’s death Baxter had been warned about dangers of choking and he carried out a Google search looking into this.

“You decided to ignore those warnings and during your trial in evidence you told the jury you still did not consider choking to be dangerous,” judge Tina Landale told Baxter, as quoted by The Sun.

“You encouraged Mr Barron to become extremely drunk.

“During sexual activity you choked Mr Barron so hard it fractured a bone and cartilage in his neck. You were reckless in doing so.”

In a statement issued by Barron’s family following Baxter’s sentencing, they described him as “kind, genuine, unique, charismatic and utterly full of life, love and ambition”, adding his loss has “devastated” their family and “left behind a space that can never be filled”.

“He was a natural born storyteller and could captivate the attention of everyone in a room within minutes using his wit and humour alone,” the statement reads.

“Michael was deeply important to so many people, he was a wonderful son, brother and uncle. Above all, he was a great friend with a unique ability to make people feel seen and special and would gladly go out of his way to lift someone’s spirits if they were feeling down.”

Barron’s family added that growing up in Ireland in the 90s and 2000s as a gay man, life was not easy but “instead of hiding who he was Michael lived both loudly and proudly”.

“His self-acceptance helped pave the way for others in the LGBT community,” they continued. “Though he left family behind when he left Waterford, he built a family of his own through friendships in Dublin, Liverpool and Manchester. 

“Since Michael’s death we have had countless messages from friends he made throughout his life, all echoing the same sentiment. He gave people confidence, strength and pride in who they were. He taught others to stand tall, embrace life fully and live with joy and openness.”

They went on to say: “As Michael’s family, we could not be prouder of the man he was. We are so grateful for the years we shared with him and the many happy memories we will carry with us and cherish for the rest of our lives. 

“Now that the trial has concluded, we can finally begin to try and move forward and start to process our grief, we are deeply touched and grateful for the love, support and kindness that we have received.”