Andrew Thomas QC successfully secured a conviction in a corporate manslaughter case yesterday at Preston Crown Court after a 5 week trial which ended on 30th November 2015.
Baldwins Crane Hire Ltd were convicted of corporate manslaughter relating to the death of one of their employees in a crash in 2011.
The incident happened when a 130 tonne crane went out of control while descending an access road from Scout Moor Quarry in Edenfield, Lancashire. The collision was due to defective brakes on the crane, caused by systemic failings in the maintenance of the company’s fleet of heavy cranes. The company was also convicted of two counts of endangering safety relating to the condition of the company’s wider fleet.
Baldwins are the 13th company to be convicted of corporate manslaughter since the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act was introduced in 2007. Andrew was instructed by CPS Specialist Casework in York.