Mum died in drug-fuelled sex game went wrong at holiday resort after partner fell asleep

A man whose partner died after a bondage game went wrong at a holiday resort has been jailed.

Warren Martin Coulton, 52, tied up Claire Wright, 38, in a luxury lodge during a boozy drug-fuelled session.

But she suffocated after he fell asleep while she was still restrained with a sock in her mouth, NorthWalesLive reports.

He woke up and found her dead but fled the scene at the Herons Lake Retreat near Caerwys in Flintshire, North Wales.

Mold Crown Court heard he had put a sock in her mouth and may have taped it up.

Her body was found in a bed by staff on July 16, 2018.

It was later determined the “loving and caring” mum-of-two had died from asphyxia.

Coulton, of Baildon near Bradford, West Yorkshire, was convicted on Wednesday of manslaughter by gross negligence.

He was jailed for six years.

Prosecutors argued he had committed a breach of his duty of care towards his partner of five years.

They said it was so “exceptionally bad” it deserved a “criminal sanction”.

Caroline Rees QC, prosecuting, said the couple took what Coulton called “toys” to the resort for bondage sessions.

This included ties, red tape, white tape, and gloves.

She said Coulton, an operations manager at a window and office cleaning business, was the “dominant” partner.

Relatives in the first floor public gallery gave fist pumps of satisfaction when jurors delivered their decision.

The judge, Mr Justice Simon Picken, said although there was a sock inside her mouth during the fatal incident, there was doubt over whether it had been taped up.

He said: “Either way, you were negligent and grossly so.

“It was your choice to drink to excess and take drugs.

“You did not have to do these things (but they have had) disastrous consequences.”

The judge said Coulton was aware there was a risk of him falling asleep after drinking while the victim was tied up, but he took that risk anyway.

Adam Kane QC, defending, said the partners were engaged in a consensual activity.

He added: “There’s no doubt these tragic circumstances were not desired and the outcome not sought by this defendant.”

In a statement after the verdict, Detective Constable Lee Harshey-Jones, of North Wales Police, said: “This was a tragic and needless death of a woman described by her friends and family as being a loving and caring mother.

“Coulton had a responsibility to look after Claire’s welfare and he failed to do so with tragic consequences.

“It was Coulton’s failure and lack of care towards Claire which ultimately led to her untimely death.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Claire.”