Two men charged with manslaughter of Port Clarence grandad

Brian Gately, known to family and friends as Big Bri, died after reports of an altercation with a group of people outside his home on Samphire Street, Port Clarence.

The incident happened at around 9.15pm on November 28, 2022. There were multiple arrests at the time but never any charges until now.

Brian Gately died after a suspected altercation with a group of people outside his home on Samphire Street, Port Clarence. (Image: Cleveland Police)

Cleveland Police confirmed that Ashley Cooper, 29, of Gisburn Road in Billingham and Dean Barnett, 26, of Rowan Tree Gardens in Redcar, have both been charged with manslaughter.

Barnett is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on June 8, and Cooper is due to appear at the same court on June 10.

In November 2024, following a renewed appeal for information, Mr Gately’s family spoke of the impact of his death and their continued search for answers.

They said: “There has been no closure for us as a family after losing Big Bri. We are a big family, and we all miss him so much.

“Some of Bri’s grandkids never got to meet their grandad, and without knowing what really happened to him, we cannot explain this to all of the kids and we can’t have any closure.

“Big Bri loved Christmas. It was a big time for him, and everyone went to his on Christmas Day. He loved having everyone together.

“As we head towards Christmas as a family, without Big Bri again, we want to ask anyone who has any information at all to please tell the police.

“Please help our family get the answers we need to try and move forward and get some closure.”