Three charged with manslaughter after man died in Burgess Hill

Three men have been charged with manslaughter and affray after the death of a Burgess Hill man.

A group of people were working late at a café, preparing to open their new business, in Church Road on Friday, May 13 when a group of people, unknown to them, caused a disturbance. During this a 35-year-old woman was assaulted. The altercation spilled out into the street and the group left the area.

Shortly afterward, one of the people from the cafe, a 63-year-old man Frank Milligan from Burgess Hill collapsed and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital. He sadly died two days later.

Two men were arrested at the scene, two other men and a woman were arrested.

Three men have now been charged: John Venn, 19, a labourer, of The Highlands, Cuckfield, Hayden Garrett, 20, unemployed of Allen Road, Haywards Heath and Joshua Hewes, 20, a bricklayer of Silver Birches, Haywards Heath have all been charged with affray and manslaughter. The two others, a 19-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman both from Haywards Heath, have been released without charge.

The men will appear at Crawley Magistrates' Court on January 11.

Detective Sergeant Vicki Tomlinson said: "This investigation has been a complex and thorough one. We continue to support the family through a very difficult time."