Man charged with manslaughter of 79-year-old Prudhoe man

A man has been charged with manslaughter after a 79-year-old Prudhoe man died following a suspected assault last year.

Emergency services attended an incident at 9:40 am on Friday, December 10 last year at an address on Woodhead Road following a report of disturbance. A 79-year-old, Roy Clayton, was found with a serious neck injury consistent with having been assaulted.

He was taken to hospital where he died four days after the suspected assault. An investigation has been ongoing since and 49-year-old Gary Anderson of Woodhead Road in Prudhoe was arrested in connection with Roy's death.

Mr Anderson has now been charged with manslaughter and is due to appear before magistrates in Newcastle on Wednesday, November 16.

Detective Inspector David Johnson, of Northumbria Police, said: “Clearly this is a serious incident that has left Roy’s family absolutely devastated. Our thoughts remain with them and we will continue to offer any support they need. I would like to thank Roy’s family for their cooperation and patience over the last 10 months, as well as the wider community who have assisted our investigation at every opportunity.

“With one suspect now charged and due to appear in court, it is imperative that everyone refrains from any speculation – both on social media and in the community – that could jeopardise the live legal proceedings.”

Anyone with information who has yet to come forward is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of their website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20211210-0247.