Man due in court on manslaughter charge after being extradited from France

After being extradited from France, 59-year-old Gary Jon Selwood will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court today (April 9) charged with the manslaughter of 69-year-old Paul Carter from Whitchurch.

Paul died in hospital on April 16 2022, after being assaulted inside the Whitchurch Folk Centre in East Dundry Road, Bristol, on February 27 2022.

On March 26, Selwood was arrested in the Aulnay area of France following an investigation led by the Major Crime Investigation Team. He was brought back to the UK by specialist officers yesterday (April 8), where he remains in custody ahead of his court appearance.

Paul’s family has been kept fully updated on this development and will continue to be supported by specially trained Family Liaison Officers.

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Today, alongside a photo, Paul's family shared:  “Our dad, Paul Carter, aged 69, had gone to a local folk house on a Sunday evening back in February 2022 to enjoy a drink with friends.

“Following this incident, he was in a coma for seven weeks with multiple bleeds to the brain. This was probably the most traumatic time we’ve ever experienced, not knowing if he is going to wake up or not, every day hoping for the doctors to tell us new information.

“Our dad had not long retired, he was such a gentle man, a quietly spoken man, who enjoyed buying us flowers and a bottle of prosecco every week. He loved nothing more than to spend time with his family and grandchildren, helping them out with university work and anything technical.

“No family should have to go through the trauma of losing someone in this way.

“We would like to thank the hospital staff at Southmead and the Police who have supported us throughout everything during this terrible time; they have been nothing short of being amazing.”