Man charged after death of Jay Cartmell in Warcop incident

Jay Cartmell died after being seriously injured in the Warcop area of Cumbria, just off the A66, on September 28, 2024. 

The eight-year-old was airlifted to hospital with a suspected shotgun injury but sadly died at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. 

An inquest into his death later heard how the boy – described as “loving, kind and full of mischief” – suffered the injury while on a rabbit shooting expedition. 

Cumbria Police has confirmed that Allan Thursby, 64, has today (Tuesday, March 17) been charged with gross negligence manslaughter. 

Thursby, of Dent Place, Cleator Moor, was arrested on September 28, 2024 and has been on police bail since.

He was bailed to appear at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on March 26, 2026.

Pictures from the scene (Image: Frank Chalmers)

Emergency services rushed to the farm in Warcop following the incident in 2024, with pictures showing several police vans and a crime scene investigation vehicle parked beside a road. 

Jay’s parent’s, Leigha and James Cartmell, later released a statement paying tribute to “the best boy that anyone could wish for and the third corner of our beautiful family ‘triangle’.”

They said: “We will miss him every day, but his love surrounds us and his memory will never fade.”

Jay Cartmell (Image: Supplied)

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime division, said: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

“We have worked closely with Cumbria Police as they have carried out their investigation into the circumstances of this death. Our thoughts are with the family of Jay Cartmell at this time.

“We remind all concerned that proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”