Cotswolds firm fined £450K for employee's electrocution death

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 17:31 · Archive

Cotswold Rainwater Services was fined £450,000 for corporate manslaughter after an employee died by electrocution.

Cotswold Rainwater Services of Northfield Farm Lane, Witney, was sentenced on 9 October at Oxford Crown Court for corporate manslaughter. Andrew Claridge, from Minster Lovell, died at around 3.15pm on 14 November 2024 while carrying out guttering work at Charney Road, Longworth, Abingdon.

Claridge died when a metal ladder he was using came into contact with an overhead power line carrying approximately 11,000 volts. He was one of four employees at the property, including his twin brother Adam. The work had been requested by householders Mr and Ms Belcher.

Judge Ian Pringle fined the family-run company £450,000, reduced from £700,000 because of its guilty plea and prosecution costs, with payment required within one year. The judge said the death was 'completely foreseeable' and could have been prevented with 'any quick check'. He told the company: 'They fell well short of the appropriate standard.' No site-specific safety assessment was carried out, no specialist safety equipment was provided and no hazards were flagged. Family members of Claridge said their lives had been 'ruined' by his death.

How it is being reported

• Cotswolds firm fined over £400K for manslaughter as family's lives 'ruined'At Oxford Crown Court a Cotswolds firm was fined over £400,000 for manslaughter as the family members spoke about the death's impact.Oxford Mail · 9 Oct, 15:35
• Cotswolds firm fined over £400K for manslaughter as family's lives 'ruined'At Oxford Crown Court a Cotswolds firm was fined over £400,000 for manslaughter as the family members spoke about the death's impact.Oxfordshire Guardian · 9 Oct, 15:35

In this story: Andrew Claridge · Cotswold Rainwater Services · Oxford Crown Court · Witney · Abingdon

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