Corporate Manslaughter trial adjourned
THE trial of the first UK company director to be charged under the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007 has been adjourned for a period of 18 weeks because the defendant, Peter Eaton, is said to be medically unfit.
Mr Eaton, who is accused of unlawful killing through gross negligence, after a geologist working for his Gloucestershire-based geotechnical consultancy died while taking soil samples at a site near Stroud, is believed to need urgent and intensive medical treatment.
The trial was adjourned last week after both sides agreed that the defendant was not fit to participate in the proceedings.
Mr Eaton is the first person to be prosecuted under the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007, which came into force in April 2008. He is charged with gross negligence manslaughter under the new Act, and with an offence contrary to Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
His company, Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings, has also been charged with failing to discharge a duty contrary to Section 33 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Mr Eaton, who is accused of unlawful killing through gross negligence, after a geologist working for his Gloucestershire-based geotechnical consultancy died while taking soil samples at a site near Stroud, is believed to need urgent and intensive medical treatment.
The trial was adjourned last week after both sides agreed that the defendant was not fit to participate in the proceedings.
Mr Eaton is the first person to be prosecuted under the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007, which came into force in April 2008. He is charged with gross negligence manslaughter under the new Act, and with an offence contrary to Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
His company, Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings, has also been charged with failing to discharge a duty contrary to Section 33 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
