24.11.2005

Employer guilty of manslaughter

Wayne Davies, 36, of The Meadows, Leominster, who owns Knighton based A&E Buildings Ltd, was found guilty and has been convicted of unlawfully killing Mark Jones, 40, who fell around seven metres from a makeshift work platform attached to a telescopic handler on February 28th 2004.
See original report March 4th 2004
The court heard that the telehandler Davies used to support the platform had a string of faults, including a brake which did not work properly.

During the three-week trial it emerged that Davies also ignored safety concerns expressed by Jones's wife about his working conditions.

“Wayne Davis showed total contempt for the safety of his employees and ignored health and safety guidelines," said Detective Inspector Bob Titley, who led the inquiry into the tragedy.

"Mark leaves a widow and a 14-year-old daughter who have been traumatised by his death. Hopefully, this conviction will help them come to terms with this tragedy and rebuild their lives. "The verdict sends a strong message to employers about their responsibility to their workers." He continued.

Davies claimed that Jones and other employees were working without his consent on the day of the accident. He admitted failing to maintain the handler and was convicted of two health and safety offences and cleared of a third.

Davies is out on bail while pre-sentence reports are prepared and he is due to be sentenced in December.

Another man, Adam Waygood, 23, from Leominster, who was also on the home-made platform, suffered serious injuries from which he has since recovered.