News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A mum-of-two who told a stranger "get the f*** out of my face" before pushing him moments before he fell to his death under a tram has been sentenced to five years.

Charissa Brown-Wellington, 31, pushed Phillip Carter with "excessive force" before he lost balance and fell into the gap between the platform and tram at Victoria station in Manchester, at about 7.50pm on Sunday, June 11.

About 30 seconds later the tram started to leave and he became crushed and fatally injured, dying at the scene of multiple injuries, Manchester Evening News reported from Manchester Crown Court.

Earlier the defendant yelled out "No that didn't happen" when the court heard she had told Mr Carter “what are you looking at?” and "you what?" when they came into contact after she stepped off a tram with her partner at Victoria station.

(Image: MEN Media)

(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

(Image: Greater Manchester Police)

The court heard how she then gave a "light push" to Mr Carter's shoulder before pushing him with "very excessive force".

The 30-year-old then lost balance and fell into the gap between platform and tram.

The court heard Brown-Wellington was "significantly affected" by alcohol and drugs when she became involved in an "exchange of abuse" at the Metrolink.

Earlier in the evening she drank a bottle of wine and two cans of lager with her boyfriend, Martin Davies.

(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

She jumped on a tram in the Market Street area but trouble began at 8pm when she got off to change trams and encountered Mr Carter who had also been drinking.

Describing the scene, prosecutor Robert Hall said: “The defendant was described as lairy and loud. The victim was stood on the platform on his way home and both were strangers – although she was slightly taller and stockier than him.

''As she got off the tram she said to Mr Carter ‘What are you looking at?’ He said something back and she turned and walked back saying: ‘You what?

What is your problem you k**b.’ He then replied: ‘Get the f**k out of my face’ and she said: ‘Get the f**k out of my face.

(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd) (Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

After the incident,Brown-Wellington told emergency services: “'I didn't mean it, he got in my face and was aggressive so I pushed him away.

''We were just play fighting, he pushed me first and I pushed him back. All my life I have put up with men putting their hands on me.”

But prosecutor Rob Hall QC said CCTV showed this was not the case.

Defence barrister Mark Ford said his client was immediately remorseful and is tormented by the consequences of her actions.

Appealing for Justice William Davis to be merciful, he said the death was a "tragic incident" and a "product of the coincidence of circumstance".

Justice Davis said the incident was "not pleasant" but "that's as far as it should have gone". He added that he case was not an accident.

(Image: CHRIS NEILL/MAVERICK PHOTOGRAPHY) (Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

He said: “There was nothing accidental about you losing your temper and pushing (Mr Carter).

“There was nothing accidental about the fact you did it in a busy tram interchange where inevitably trams were coming and going.”

He added: "The reality is that though what you did was not unprovoked it was completely unnecessary and it was aggressive.

"It is merely yet another example of you reacting violently when faced with something you did not like very much."

At an earlier hearing, Brown-Wellington, who is from Oldham, pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

(Image: Cavendish Press/Pat Isaacs) (Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

The court heard how she had an "extensive criminal record" of 65 previous convictions including battery, affray and assaulting a police officer.

She was classed as a dangerous offender and must serve two thirds of her five year sentence before being considered for parole.

She will be on licence for a further three years.

Speaking after the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer Bob Tonge said: “We may never know definitively what prompted Brown-Wellington to confront Philip Carter but what we do know is that as a result of her actions, a man lost his life in the most horrific circumstances.

“He suffered a brutal death all because she lost her temper and she will now have to live with that as she carries out her prison sentence.

“Although it won’t bring him back, I hope the sentence passed here today will bring Philip’s loved ones some comfort to know that justice has been served.”

(Image: Cavendish Press/Pat Isaacs)

(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

Mr Carter's family said he was "much loved" and "had much life ahead of him".

They added: “He was taken from us in June this year in completely unnecessary circumstances.

"We cannot express how devastated we are that his life has been stolen from him.

“Phil is missed every minute of every day.

(Image: Cavendish Press/Pat Isaacs) (Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

“Today his killer has been sentenced, and justice has been served.

“We can try to repair our heartache although no matter how long the sentence is, it will not bring Phil back or make our loss any easier.

“We need to attempt to move on and hopefully today will now provide closure for our pain over the last few months, however we will never forget Phil or the many memories he has given us.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past few months.”