Charges laid against four people over the death of an Ashburton man in June have been upgraded to manslaughter.
Arran Gairns' body was found behind commercial premises on West Street, in a drainage runoff area shortly after 3pm on June 1.
A post-mortem examination revealed the 34-year-old had drowned.
The following week four people were arrested and charged with assault with intent to rob Mr Gairns before his death.
On July 3 Desmond Kapi Marshall, 46, of Netherby, admitted the charge in the Timaru District Court.
