Man found guilty of killing 37-year-old Kirk Marsden in Blackburn
Kirk Marsden died after being struck by a car on Christmas Day 2024
James Ward has been found guilty of manslaughter after admitting he killed 37-year-old Kirk Marsden in Blackburn last Christmas Day.
On 25th December 2024, Kirk Marsden was in The Gate Street Bar and Grill at around 4.30pm. While there, he was involved in an altercation with a group of people, including James Ward, in which another person was injured.
Ward's group left and got into a parked Toyota Landcruiser outside the venue on Moorgate Street. After Kirk left the pub, the Landcruiser was driven deliberately towards him but he avoided the vehicle on that occasion.
James Ward then moved into the driver’s seat, reversed the car, and drove directly at Kirk, hitting him twice - once while walking towards the pub and again while reversing back over him.
Kirk was later found to have suffered catastrophic internal injuries and died the following afternoon, Boxing Day 2024.
Ward handed himself in three days later on 28th December at Greenbank Police Station but answered "no comment" to all interview questions. Charged with manslaughter, he stood for trial at Preston Crown Court, where he was found guilty on 28th November 2024 following a unanimous jury verdict.
“Ward escalated the earlier incident by engaging in an atrocious level of violence which left all those who witnessed it absolutely horrified," DCI Bryony Midgley said.
She added: “Finally, my thoughts remain with Kirk’s loved ones who will hopefully now be able to begin the process of rebuilding their lives.”
Ward, 27, formerly of New Wellington Street, Blackburn, but now of no fixed address, is remanded pending sentencing, taking place on 6th March 2025 in the same court.