Four acquitted following death at work
Four people who were charged with health and safety breaches following the death of an employee at a Telford company have been acquitted.
At a court hearing held on Wednesday 9 July at Manchester Crown Court the four individuals were acquitted of failing to discharge the employer’s general duty under the Health and Safety Act at work.
No further action will be faced by the following people:
- Timothy Mitchell, aged 50, of Rodington Heath in Shrewsbury
- Jack Fallows, aged 35, Moss Drive in Newport, Telford
- Julie Pearce, aged 56, of Sweet Chestnut Grove, The Rock in Telford
- Andrea Iacchetti, aged 51, who currently resides in Italy
Telford company Autostructures UK Ltd, formerly known as GKN Autostructures Ltd, will still face trial at Stafford Crown Court starting on Monday 6 October, charged with corporate manslaughter and failing to discharge the employer’s general duty under the Health and Safety Act at work.
The charges relate to an incident that happened on December 13, 2018, which led to the death of 47-year-old Steven Westbrook on December 17, 2018. Steven’s family paid tribute to him, saying he is “deeply missed”. The statement says: “The loss of Steven has been painful for everyone who knew him, he is deeply missed by all his family and friends. Sadly missed, never forgotten.”
