A Hollyoaks actor died after he was restrained and suffocated during an ‘extreme’ sex session with his Grindr date.Michael Barron, 38, went to Josh Baxter’s flat in Blackley, north Manchester, in January 2025 after the pair exchanged explicit messages online.During the encounter, Baxter strangled Michael with such force that he fractured a bone and cartilage in his neck.Baxter also restrained Michael face-down on his bed with a rope and lay on top of him for a ‘prolonged period’, causing him to suffocate.A lack of oxygen to Michael’s brain caused him to suffer a cardiac arrest and he sadly died.Instead of immediately calling 999, Baxter started searching online about his chances of going to prison and left his flat to collect a takeaway delivery.

He was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm and intentional suffocation and jailed for four years. He was acquitted of manslaughter.Baxter had previously denied all charges against him. When Mr Barron arrived at the flat at 4.27pm on January 26 last year, they chatted about ‘general things’ including their favourite films.The conversation soon turned to sex and what their ‘limits’ were. Baxter claimed Mr Barron said he did not want a ‘safe word’.During the evening, both men tried to source some ketamine, then later went to a shop to buy more alcohol. The last use of Mr Barron’s phone was at 5.45pm when there was a short call to a drug dealer, it was heard.Between 7-7.56pm, Baxter also stopped using his phone. Prosecutors said it can be  reasonably inferred’ that during that time they had sex. he court heard Baxter restrained Mr Barron face-down on his bed and lay on top of him for a ‘prolonged period’.Ms Whyte said: ‘He was choked at some stage, it would appear as though he was restrained by his wrists and ankles, face down throughout the sexual activity.