Firm charged with corporate manslaughter

An incident on 13 December 2018 led to the death of Steven Westbrook, West Mercia Police said

A manufacturing firm has been charged with corporate manslaughter over the death of an employee five years ago.

West Mercia Police said Telford based Autostructures UK Ltd had been charged in relation to an incident on 13 December 2018, which led to the death of 47-year-old Steven Westbrook.

Four people have also been charged with failing to discharge the employer’s general duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Those charged were due to appear at Telford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The four charged are Timothy Mitchell, 48, of Rodington Heath in Shrewsbury, Jack Fallows, 33, from Moss Drive in Newport, Telford, Julie Pearce, 55, of Sweet Chestnut Grove, The Rock in Telford, and Andrea Iacchetti, 50, who resides in Italy.

Autostructures UK Ltd, formerly known as GKN Autostructures Ltd, has been charged with corporate manslaughter and failing to discharge the employer’s general duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The incident on 13 December led to Mr Westbrook’s death four days later, police said.

In a statement paying tribute to Mr Westbrook, his family said: “The loss of Steven has been painful for everyone who knew him, he is deeply missed by all his family and friends.

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