UK: Man jailed for five years over clingfilm bondage death
A man has been jailed for five years for causing the death of a man covered in clingfilm during a sex game.
The chef, who lived with his girlfriend, had an interest in bondage and mummification and would meet men online for sex.
Richard Bowler, 35, of Sturry Road, Canterbury, was found guilty of manslaughter through gross negligence at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday.
His co-defendant David Connor, 23, also of Sturry Road, was cleared of the same charge, which the pair had both denied.
Judge Adele Williams told Mr Bowler during sentencing: “In my judgment, you lost sight of the fact that day that Alun Williams was a human being and thought of him as your ‘sex buddy’, as you put it.”
She said his failure to monitor or check Mr Williams led to his death and the delay in Mr Bowler getting help was “reprehensible”.
The court heard that Mr Williams was found wrapped tightly from head to toe in the plastic sheeting and clingfilm, with a space left around his nose and mouth so he could breathe.
Mr Bowler claimed that the chef asked to be “totally mummified” and was then laid on the bed – while being spanked by Mr Connor and penetrated by Mr Bowler using a strap-on penis.
Prosecutor Ian Hope told the jury how Mr Connor went to a Dover taxi office where his mother worked as a taxi controller at 5.50am on 20 August last year.
He is alleged to have told his mother: “Mum, Richard’s killed someone!”
Mr Bowler, after making a phone call to his brother and texting his sister-in-law for help, phoned the police at 5.53am and told them he had been involved in a “kinky sex session” with a friend who was wrapped up and had stopped breathing, the court heard.
He was put through to the ambulance service and told them Mr Williams had taken the drug ketamine.
Mr Hope said Mr Bowler cut open the clingfilm and plastic sheeting to perform CPR and told the emergency services: “He’s dead. I know he’s dead. I just thought he was sleeping. I’m sorry I should have called before.
“He takes K and that mongs him out. I went up there and pushed him and he did not move. I just thought he was sleeping.
“The last time I saw him breathing was three hours ago. I should have gone up there but I didn’t. I’m sorry.”
Mr Bowler denied the charge of manslaughter through gross negligence, saying he took all reasonable care of Mr Williams and could not have foreseen that covering him in cling ilm and PVC would have led to his death.
Mr Connor said he was only acting on the instructions of Mr Williams and Mr Bowler.
Police found drugs including ketamine, cocaine, methamphetamine and amyl nitrate, otherwise known as poppers, in Mr Williams’s rucksack.
They also found a gas mask and ties in his bag. Sex toys, masking tape, duct tape, black plastic sheeting and clingfilm.
Following the sentencing, Det Insp Richard Vickery, said: “This is a tragic death of a man well-liked by his colleagues and friends.
“Bowler had a responsibility to look after the welfare of Mr Williams when he entered their home and spent the evening with him.
“Due to the nature in which he was restrained he should never have left him alone for extended periods of time, but he did.
“I hope this verdict and sentence goes some way to providing those who were close to Mr Williams some closure after what has been a very difficult time.”
