Corporate manslaughter trial against engineering firm
begins
The trial against an engineering consultancy over the death of
one of its employees, has begun.
The corporate manslaughter case against Gloucestershire-based
Cotswold Geotechnical, is due to last for three weeks.
Director of the firm, Peter Eaton, stands accused of gross
negligence manslaughter following the death of employee Alexander
Wright, a 27-year old geologist, in 2008.
Mr Wright was working on a Stroud-based development site
gathering soil samples when he was crushed in a trench when its
walls collapsed on top of him. Rescuers took two days to find his
body, which was buried under tonnes of mud. Mr Wright was found to
have died from traumatic asphyxia.
This case, which is being held at Winchester Crown Court, marks
the first prosecution of this type following the introduction of
new legislation. Cotswold Geotechnical denies the charges, which
will take place under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate
Homicide Act 2007, which came into force in April 2008.
If Mr Eaton is found guilty, he could be sentenced to a spell in
prison, plus an 'unlimited fine' could be levied upon the firm.
It is thought unlikely that the case will cause significant
reinterpretation of the Corporate Manslaughter Act. Questions have
also been raised as to which members of firms could fall under the
senior management banner for the purpose of the Act.