Company fined £450,000 for employee's electrocution death
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 06:19 · Archive
Cotswold Rainwater Services was sentenced to pay £450,000 for corporate manslaughter after employee Andrew Claridge died by electrocution.
Cotswold Rainwater Services of Witney was sentenced on 9 October at Oxford Crown Court for corporate manslaughter following the death of employee Andrew Claridge, 34, from Minster Lovell. Mr Claridge died at around 3.15pm on 14 November 2024 while carrying out work in Abingdon when a metal ladder he was using came into contact with an overhead power line.
Judge Ian Pringle fined the family-run company £450,000, reduced from £700,000 due to the guilty plea and prosecution costs. The company was ordered to pay the fine within one year. The case followed a joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive and Thames Valley Police.
Detective sergeant Nathan Adby of Abingdon CID described the investigation as 'long and complex'. He said he was grateful to Mr Claridge's family for their 'patience, dignity and support' throughout proceedings and praised the Health and Safety Executive and Crown Prosecution Service. Mr Adby added that Mr Claridge's death was 'entirely preventable' and said the outcome should 'serve as a stark reminder and reinforce learning across the industry that health and safety compliance is not optional, but a mandatory requirement for all employers'.
How it is being reported
- Police statement after company sentenced for 'much-loved' father's deathThames Valley Police has released a statement after a company was sentenced for corporate manslaughter following a 'much-loved' man's death.Oxford Mail · 10 Oct, 05:00
- Police statement after company sentenced for 'much-loved' father's deathThames Valley Police has released a statement after a company was sentenced for corporate manslaughter following a 'much-loved' man's death.Oxfordshire Guardian · 10 Oct, 05:00
In this story: Andrew Claridge · Cotswold Rainwater Services · Thames Valley Police · Witney · Minster Lovell · Abingdon · Oxford Crown Court
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