Man was 'unlawfully killed' by friend at party, coroner rules

INQUEST TOLD HOW HE DIED AFTER BEING PUT IN 'GUILLOTINE HOLD'

- KIT ROBERTS

A MAN was unlawfully killed by a friend who restrained him while celebrating his 40th birthday, a coroner has concluded.

David Toulson was put in a 'guillotine hold' by James Johnson while they were at his party in Salford, an inquest into his death previously heard.

After arriving at David's flat with two friends, Mr Johnson put David in the hold, which caused compression of the neck, the inquest was told. Mr Johnson was acquitted of murder and manslaughter following a criminal trial.

Mr Johnson told the inquest at Bolton Coroners' Court and his Crown Court trial - he restrained his friend because he believed David was going to rape him.

The court heard that, after realising David was unresponsive, he he called emergency services, telling them: "I think I've killed my friend."

The incident unfolded on the evening of June at 25, 2022 David's Adelphi Wharf apartment.