MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL VERDICT

Director found guilty of manslaughter facing prison sentence

Colin Cooper, aged 48, and owner of IC Roofing Ltd has been found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence. Following a two week trial the jury today delivered a guilty verdict at Hove Crown Court.

Darren Hoofe, aged 20, fell through a skylight onto the factory floor whilst carrying out roofing repairs. He was not wearing a safety harness and had not received full safety training. He died in hospital the following day from his injuries.

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall commented on the jury verdict saying it was based upon “the clearest of evidence”. Colin Cooper is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday 27th January 2009. He was released on bail, but warned by the judge that he should “expect a custodial sentence”

Amanda Huff, HSE inspector, said: “The tragedy of Darren Hoofe’s death is that it could so easily have been avoided. Colin Cooper showed reckless disregard for the safety of his employees even though the risks and necessary precautions were well known to him”

Detective Inspector Colin Dowle, from Sussex Police, said: “This is a particularly tragic event which was entirely preventable. Colin Cooper ignored the obvious risks in favour of economic gain, sadly at the cost of Darren’s life. This was compounded by the fact that Mr Cooper had received previous warnings in relation to his working practices from HSE inspectors. The HSE and Sussex Police have worked closely together to bring this matter to trial.”

This article was posted on 22nd January 2009 in ALL LATEST NEWS, CDM: DIRECTORS, FRAGILE MATERIALS, MANSLAUGHTER, manslaughter, PROSECUTIONS.
PP Construction Safety H&S Assistance and Consultancy service.

Construction Health & Safety News, Advice and Information from PP Construction Safety

MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL VERDICT

Director found guilty of manslaughter facing prison sentence

Latest Construction Health and Safety News

WORKMAN FELL FROM UNSECURED LADDER

Industrial cladding company failed to assess and control WAH

SCAFFOLDER FELL THROUGH FRAGILE ROOFLIGHT

Fall through roof leaves workman with life-changing injuries

ARM DRAGGED INTO CONVEYOR BELT DANGER

Workman seriously injured on first day at work in quarry

ROOF TRUSSES TOPPLED TRAPPING WORKMAN

Principal contractor failed to plan, manage and monitor project

SCAFFOLDING AWARENESS TRAINING FOR ALL

CISRS set to target painters, bricklayers, electricians and plumbers

HSE ENFORCEMENT DATABASE REMAINS OFFLINE

Access to HSE prosecutions and notices register mysteriously unavailable

POOR LIFT MAINTENANCE CLAIMED LIFE OF CHILD

Affordable housing business and contractor fined over £1.5m

NEW CPA CRANE SAFETY GUIDANCE ISSUED

Guide covers use of mobile lifting appliances beside railways

RIBA CONDEMNS RISKIER PROCUREMENT OUTCOMES

Holistic focus on safety is required and not just cost cutting

DIRECTOR JAILED OVER PAINT STRIPPER ILLEGAL SALE

Banned and restricted chemicals sold contrary to legal requirements

CLIENT FAILED TO PROCURE ASBESTOS SURVEY

Demolition work released large quantities of asbestos fibres

LIVE WORKING IGNITED CLOTHES OF ELECTRICIAN

Spanner came into contact with live terminal causing life-changing burns

WORKMEN FELL FROM ‘BIN’ ATTACHED TO EXCAVATOR

Premature removal of scissor lift prompted unsafe system of work

MANY SITES FAIL HSE HEALTH RISK CONTROL TEST

HSE Construction site ‘blitz’ finds breaches at 43% of site visits

MAKESHIFT FALL ARREST SYSTEM CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Contactors fined for using harness not attached to suitable anchor

HYDRAULIC RAM SEVERED HAND OF WORKMAN

Major contractor failed to follow own policies and procedures

ALL WORK AREAS NOT INCLUDED IN ASBESTOS SURVEY

Company fined after asbestos containing materials were released

FESTIVE GREETINGS TO ALL OUR READERS

POSITIVE STORY ON FRAGILE SURFACE HAZARDS

Major roofing contractor testifies to working from below roof

LEISURE CENTRE USER FELL ILL AFTER SHOWER USE

Legionella risk assessment and control measures found wanting

STONE CUTTING MACHINE GUARDS FAILED HSE TEST

Precautions taken following HSE enforcement fell into disuse

ROOFWORK CREATED CARBON MONOXIDE RISK

Falling rubble damaged and blocked home chimney flue

HSE SAFETY ALERT: TOWER CRANE BRAKES

Collapse of tower crane jib in high winds prompts HSE warning

VISITING ENGINEER CRUSHED BY SCAFFOLD TUBES

Principal contractor “signed off” contractor storage arrangements

CONCRETE EJECTED BY PUMPING UNIT CLAIMED LIFE

Company and director failed to train and supervise pumping operations

One Response to “MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL VERDICT”

News Archives