R v Allan Thompson and Michael Smith
Matthew Corbett-Jones (led by Andrew Thomas QC) successfully prosecuted a case of manslaughter by gross negligence following the death of a construction worker who fell from the roof of a disused Carpet Right warehouse which he was dismantling in Stockport. The defendant Allan Thompson (who is the director of Building and Dismantling Contractors Ltd from Falkirk in Scotland) failed to provide any method statement or risk assessment leading to failures in health and safety procedures which resulted in the death of Scott Harrower. Michael Smith (Director of C Smith & Sons (Rochdale) Ltd) was also on trial for offences involving breaches of health and safety legislation for which the prosecution successfully alleged he was personally liable. The Trial proceeded at Manchester Crown Court before Mr Justice Turner, defended by Andrew Lloyd-Eley QC and Miss Kate Blackwell QC.