Businessman faces court following carpenter’s death fall

The owner of Cherrywood Investments, based in Hove, East Sussex, has been given a hearing date at Lewes Crown Court, where he will face trial accused of manslaughter following the death of a carpenter in 2014.

Property developer Mike Holland, along with his foreman Grant Oakes, recently appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court to face the charge of manslaughter. However, the two men were given bail until the Crown Court trial date of May 12.

According to a report in The Argus, carpenter David Clark was working at Stanmer Park when he fell 20ft. The incident occurred on September 30, 2014.

Clark, who was 55 years old at the time, was a subcontractor for Cherrywood Investments, and was working in a stable block next door to Stanmer House when the accident occurred. Although he was taken by emergency services to hospital, he died on October 28, 2014. Sussex police investigated the death of Clark, arresting Holland and Oakes. The police also conducted an investigation, along with the Health and Safety Executive.

In addition to facing a manslaughter charge, Holland has also been charged with four other offences, all in breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2014. One is a charge of neglect and the other three are of failing to discharge a duty.

Employers are required to comply with the health and safety regulations in order to maintain the safety and well being of workers, possibly by providing PPE or workwear, or provision of suitable training. Failure to comply can result in illness, accident or fatality, which will lead to investigation and a possible prison sentence.