Georgia Varley trial: Merseyrail guard Christopher McGee guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence

Nov 14 2012

MERSEYRAIL guard Christopher McGee has been found guilty of the manslaughter by gross negligence of Wirral teenager Georgia Varley.

A jury at Liverpool Crown Court returned the verdict just after 4pm this afternoon after just a few hours deliberation.

McGee, 45, gave the signal for the driver to depart as Georgia, 16, was leaning against the carriage.

The sixth-form college student, who was drunk on a night out in Liverpool with friends, fell between the train and the platform at the city’s James Street station in October last year.

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McGee, who had denied the charge, appeared to blink away tears as the jury at Liverpool Crown Court returned their verdict of manslaughter by gross negligence following three hours and five minutes of deliberations.

The jury were then discharged from reaching a verdict in an alternative, lesser charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

There were gasps in the public gallery from where the defendant’s supporters and Georgia’s family had followed proceedings.

Trial judge Mr Justice Holroyde said he would pass sentence at 10am tomorrow.

He remanded McGee in custody saying it was a "very serious offence" and he faces he faces a sentence of imprisonment.

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