Andrew Ballantyne: Murder charges dropped as Wycombe killers admit manslaughter

On the fourth day of the Andrew Ballantyne murder trial, two defendants have admitted manslaughter and the other three admitted violent disorder in relation to the 55-year-old grandfather’s death.

At Reading Crown Court on Thursday afternoon James Scott, 32, of Hawthorne Road, High Wycombe and Asher Anderson, 35, of Walton Gardens, Wembley, admitted to manslaughter.

Daniel Ramsey, 25, of Micklefield Road, High Wycombe, Ramah Lampkin, 24, of Rowan Avenue, High Wycombe and Nickolas Williams, 25, of Gibbs Close, High Wycombe have all pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Andrew Ballantyne died on July 31, 2021 after he was found unresponsive on the ground by police officers near the Jet petrol station in Micklefield Way.

Asher Anderson and James Scott have admitted to manslaughter in relation to Andrew Ballantyne's death

READ MORE: The Andrew Ballantyne trial as it happened

In addition, Williams has pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm and Anderson has pleaded guilty to common assault in relation to a separate attack that happened at the Dolphin Pub shortly before Mr Ballantyne’s death.

Murder charges against all five men have now all been dropped, and a planned six-week trial has been scrapped. All five men will next appear at Reading Crown Court on Friday 25 February to be sentenced.

The trial had been at a standstill since it officially started on Monday, with barristers for the prosecution and defence locked in talks around new charges and potential guilty pleas.

Until now, the jury and public had not been privy to these discussions.

Andrew Ballantyne died following an attack at the Jet Petrol station in Micklefield Way [Peter Manning]

Addressing Judge Amjad Nawaz, lead prosecutor Christopher Donnellan QC said: “The fact that admissions have now been made relating to the killing of Andrew Ballantyne and to violent disorder by the other defendants, the Crown has reflected on the overall picture.

"We will not proceed on the charge of murder."

On the charges relating to the attack at the Dolphin Pub, where a different victim was injured, Mr Donnellan QC added: “We are content that the role of Asher Anderson is properly reflected in the charge of common assault.

"That resolves the matters in relation to the Dolphin Pub.

"We don't think it is appropriate or necessary to try any other defendant on that count."

James Scott had already pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm before the trial started on Monday.

Police on the scene the morning Mr Ballantyne was found unresponsive [Peter Manning]

The jury and members of the public had been left mystified throughout the course of the week with delay after delay frustrating proceedings.

Addressing the jury just before the new charges were announced, Judge Nawaz explained that the reasons for the delays were about to become apparent.

He said: “As I said to you a few days ago when I sent you away, that in cases such as this, everyone’s working behind the scenes to make sure the case is in a shape where it’s easy for me and you to understand the case.

“In a moment you will understand that hard work has been put in, you will understand why it has taken slightly longer than otherwise.”

The five defendants will be produced at Reading Crown Court for sentence on Friday 25 February.

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