Man jailed for manslaughter after head chef death
A 35-year-old man has been jailed for five years for his part in the "kinky sex game" death of a former P&O Ferries head chef.
The chef, 47-year-old Alun Williams, died in April last year after he stopped breathing and had a heart attack while wrapped in clingfilm and PVC sheeting, which he had asked 35-year-old Richard Bowler to apply thanks to his interest in bondage, according to ITV News.
Bowler was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence, after evidence showed he wrapped Williams up and then failed to check or monitor him afterwards. Bowler, who has cerebral palsy, and his then-full-time carer, David Connor, had been on trial at the same time, although Connor was cleared of all charges.
After realising something was wrong, Bowler dialled 999 after trying and failing to wake Williams. He told the emergency operator that Williams had stopped breathing during a "kinky sex game"; that both men were gay; and that he had thought Williams was "just sleeping" or simply high from taking drugs.
The pair were also found to have exchanged text messages explaining plans to use the wrapping technique, after Williams told Bowler that "that's what he likes".
The jury heard that Williams' backpack was found in the flat, containing a gas mask and ties. The flat was also said to have contained sex toys, black plastic sheets, clingfilm, and duct tape, and Williams was found to have used methamphetamine and ketamine before his death.
Immediately after Williams' death, P&O spokesman Brian Rees stated: "We were obviously desperately sad to hear of Alun's death, and reported it to colleagues shortly after we heard. He was very well known, working for us a head chef, and our thoughts are with his family and friends."
P&O Ferries operates ferries on routes across Europe including between Dover and Calais; Hull and Rotterdam; and Dublin and Liverpool. Its ferries operate club lounges, on-board restaurants and brasseries serving freshly-prepared meals, snacks, and drinks.
