Barrymore facing pool death case

A judge has granted a former solicitor permission to bring a private prosecution against Michael Barrymore in connection with a man's death.

Stuart Lubbock, 31, died after being found unconscious in Mr Barrymore's swimming pool in Essex in March 2001.

Anthony Bennett will bring six charges which relate to the supply and possession of drugs, and assault.

Mr Barrymore is a Celebrity Big Brother contestant and its producers have been handed details of the prosecution.

Nobody has ever been charged in connection with the death of Stuart Lubbock, 31, who died three years ago.

The father of two and factory worker from Harlow was found floating in the pool at Mr Barrymore's luxury home in Roydon, Essex, after a party in March 2001.

An open verdict was recorded at the inquest, which heard that Mr Lubbock had suffered severe internal injuries.

A post-mortem examination revealed high levels of alcohol and drugs in Mr Lubbock's system and injuries which may have been caused by a serious sexual assault.

I always found it strange that a man can die in a swimming pool (actually, 2 hours later in hospital), show signs of having been seriously sexually assualted and no charges were ever brought against anyone.

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