Man pleads not guilty over death at slapping therapy workshop

Danielle Carr-Gomm, 71, died at Cleeve House in 2016

A man has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of a diabetes patient who died during a slapping therapy workshop at a country hotel.

Danielle Carr-Gomm, 71, died at Cleeve House in Wiltshire on 20 October 2016.

Hongchi Xiao appeared at Winchester Crown Court earlier and was remanded into custody after entering his plea.

The 60-year-old, from Cloudbreak in California, was charged in November after being extradited to the UK from Australia.

The workshop in Seend is understood to have involved paida lajin therapy, which sees patients being slapped or slapping themselves repeatedly.

Jessica Clarke, defending, told the court: "The deceased was an avid follower and ran her own courses of the practice."

Mrs Carr-Gomm, from Lewes in East Sussex, was diagnosed with diabetes in 1999 and struggled to inject insulin due to a fear of needles.

Speaking after her death, Matthew Carr-Gomm said the loss of his mother had come as a "huge shock" to the family.

"In recent years, mum was in a great place with a partner, a lovely home, and was travelling the world," he added.

Judge Timothy Mousley KC adjourned the case for a four-week trial to start on 26 June, with a further case management hearing to be held on 8 February.