Five men convicted in connection with death of man in High Wycombe
Andrew Ballantyne, who was 55, was found by police officers on the floor in Micklefield Road on 31 July last year.
Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, five men have today (10/2) pleaded guilty to offences in connection with the death of Andrew Ballantyne in High Wycombe last summer.
Mr Ballantyne, who was 55-years-old, was found by police officers on the floor in Micklefield Road on 31 July last year having been assaulted by a group of men.
As the police officers approached the victim, they ascertained that he was not breathing and therefore commenced CPR. A few minutes later, an ambulance crew attended and continued to give the victim CPR.
Sadly, despite the best efforts of the police officers and ambulance crew, Andrew was declared deceased at the scene.
Five men: Asher Anderson, aged 35, of Walton Gardens, Wembley; James Scott, aged 32 of Hawthorne Road, High Wycombe; Daniel Ramsey, aged 25, of Micklefield Road, High Wycombe; Ramah Lampkin, aged 24, of Rowan Avenue, High Wycombe; and Nickolas Williams, aged 26, of Gibbs Close, High Wycombe, were arrested and charged with Mr Ballantyne’s murder.
Today at Reading Crown Court, Anderson and Scott pleaded guilty to the alternative offence of manslaughter, which was accepted by the prosecution.
Ramsey, Williams and Lampkin pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Anderson also pleaded guilty to common assault and Williams pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to an incident 45 minutes earlier at The Dolphin pub in High Wycombe.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Kev Brown, of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Andrew Ballantyne, who tragically died as a result of this incident last year.
“Anderson and Scott have pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and this was accepted by the prosecution and they will now be sentenced for their actions.
“Ramsey, Lampkin and Williams were also present at the scene of the altercation and today admitted their involvement in the incident and have pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
“The prosecution has accepted these pleas and they too will all have to face the consequences of their actions.
“I would like to pay tribute to the family and friends of Andrew, who have had to endure months of heartbreak while we investigated this incident and prepared for a trial. Andrews’s family continue to be supported by specially trained officers.”
The case has been adjourned to 25 February for sentencing at the same court.