A trial date has been provisionally set for a pastor accused of gross negligence manslaughter following the drowning of a man during a baptism ceremony.

Pastor Cheryl Bartley, 48, is charged in connection with the death of Robert Smith, 61, from Brixton, south London. He drowned at a property on Slade Road in Erdington, Birmingham, on 8th October 2023.

Bartley, who leads Life Changing Ministries, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday but was not asked to enter a plea.

Judge Andrew Smith KC set a provisional trial date of 14th June 2027, with proceedings expected to last four to five weeks if the case goes ahead.

A group of Bartley's supporters gathered outside the court before the hearing.

Bartley, who is from Erdington and remains on conditional bail, told the court she understood the proceedings and thanked the judge before leaving the dock.