Month: September 2015

Teenager Tortured for 8 Hours at Friend’s Flat

18 year old Summer Gregg was beaten, repeatedly slapped, spat on, hit with a metal chain, urinated on and forced to act like a dog by three of her so called ‘friends’ in an 8 hour torture session.

Miss Gregg was left with burst blood vessels in both eyes, bruising all over her body and a fractured elbow following the attack that took place at Jay Blades’ town centre flat in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

Amy Gaines, 21, James Canning, 20 and Blades, also 20, apparently carried out their attack as part of Blades’ birthday wish in the early hours of December 22nd, 2014.

Friends

Miss Gregg told of how she considered Gaines as a friend and thought that Blades was a ‘nice guy’, having met the pair a couple of years earlier through her boyfriend, Andrew Smith. However, she had only met Canning twice and felt that something was wrong as soon as she entered the flat. Miss Gregg said:

“My instinct was saying this isn’t right, but I know them so I thought it would probably be okay.”

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Miss Gregg visited Jay Blades’ flat in the hopes that she could stay the night, as she felt it was too late to go home to her parents’ house. Gaines, Canning and Blades were already at the flat when Miss Gregg arrived.

Miss Gregg had not long been in the flat when the three others began to send messages to each other, plotting the attack via their mobile phones.

The trio began telling Miss Gregg that her boyfriend was being unfaithful, which she did not believe. But they became aggressive when they could not convince her. Miss Gregg said:

“I started saying I wanted to go home and tried to leave, but Amy stopped me and blocked the door and said that because she was a mother she couldn’t let me leave at that time in the morning.

“She started smacking me around and pushing me into the wall and started saying ‘It’s me being a good mother’.

“They were kicking me, punching me, slapping me and shouting things at me. At one point Jay had one of those motorbike chains and he started hitting me with it.

“I kept thinking what have I done to make them change? What have I done to make them want to hurt me that bad?”

She added:

“Jay started doing martial arts moves and said it had been his birthday wish to try them out so got the others to film it.

“I wasn’t allowed to sit on the sofa because they said they didn’t want to catch anything from me and told me to get on all fours and act like the dog I am.

“I was so terrified, I kept thinking they’re not going to let me live. James started weeing on me, all in my hair. I begged them to stop it all but they just didn’t care.

“My eye had got all swollen up from where they had been punching me, and they started squirting lemon juice in it.”

Finish the job

Miss Gregg stated that eventually, the trio started discussing how they were going to kill her. It was at this point, around 10am that morning, that the three offenders called over a fourth friend to the flat asking her to ‘finish the job’.

However, the fourth person, who has not been named, called an ambulance instead. She then went on to instruct Miss Gregg to inform the police that she had been attacked in the street.

The other female and Blades followed Miss Gregg to hospital and it was here that a hospital worker overheard the pair planning to delete the incriminating photos and videos filmed during the attack.

After suffering numerous cuts and bruises over her body, as well as two black eyes and a fractured elbow, Miss Gregg spent a total of three days in hospital.

Sentencing

Judge Julian Goose, sentencing, described the attack on Summer Gregg as ‘prolonged and degrading’ and went on to say it was ‘an appalling episode of cruel and violet behavior to a vulnerable young woman’.

Blades, Canning and Gaines admitted to false imprisonment and wounding, after originally denying all charges. Jay Blades, of Doncaster, received a sentence of four and a half years in a Young offenders institution, whilst Canning and Gaines, also of Doncaster, were sentenced to five years in a Young Offenders Institution.

“I am just relieved they have been locked away but I’m terrified every day. What happened keeps flashing through my mind. I lose my temper and get angry very quickly now and keep having arguments with my boyfriend because of it.

“Every time I look down at my legs and see the scars from where they hit me I think of it. I have a cyst in my eye that I got in the attack which the doctors say could make me blind if it gets bigger.

“I think they should have got longer sentences because they could be out in two and a half years, which just isn’t enough for what they’ve done to me. I also think they should have gone to an adult prison because they were adults when they did it.”

Criminal Injuries – Expert Advice

We understand that if you have been subjected to an act of violence, your thoughts will turn to making a full recovery – compensation will likely be the last thing on your mind.

There is however a government scheme that provides compensation to victims or their families at this tragic time. The scheme is called CICA (The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority). Once your claim is accepted by Hampson Hughes Solicitors, we will liaise with CICA on your behalf.

If you would like expert advice on this type of case, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6888 or email

Source: Mail Online

Woman Victim of Acid Attack in Southampton City Centre

A woman has had acid thrown over her face and upper body on Friday of last week (September 25th).

Unprovoked Attack

Mother of 6, Carla Whitlock, suffered facial burns during the attack which doctors say could leave her blind in one eye. Witnesses to the incident, which took place outside the Turtle Bay restaurant in Southampton City Centre, described how they could visibly see Miss Whitlock’s face melting as the corrosive acid was thrown at her.

Speaking to the Daily Mail from hospital this week, Miss Whitlock told of her attack and how she is now trying to come to terms with how her life has changed forever. She said:

“I’m just concentrating on getting my sight back and getting my face cleaned up a bit, that’s all I can really think about at the minute.

“I’m okay. My partner’s helping me a lot so I’m just trying to manage as best as I can.

“It’s changed my life completely. It’s changed everything.

“It’s painful. My eyes are swollen at the moment.

“It’s going to get more painful before it gets better. It just feels like someone is stabbing me in the eyeball all the time.”

She added:

“I would like to say thank you very much to the bouncers outside of Turtle Bay because the efforts that they made is why I have got sight in my left eye.

“Everything they did, that is why I do have that sight so I would like to thank them for that.

“I don’t remember the fire service coming.”

As well as the damage to her skin and eyes, Miss Whitlock is also struggling to speak properly due to acid entering her mouth during the attack. The 37 year old has already undergone a corneal graft operation; this involves a transplant via the removal of part of the cornea and replacing it with one from a donor.

Suspects

Following the attack, the police are looking for two brothers, Billy and Geoffrey Midmore, who were seen fleeing the scene at the time of the attack. Police have issued stills of the brothers, taken from CCTV inside a McDonalds around 36 hours after the incident.

Miss Whitmore has told police that she had known both brothers for a short while before the attack. In the early hours of Saturday morning, one of the brothers, Geoffrey Midmore, posted the following on his Facebook account: ‘I’ve done something really f****** bad it’s a really mad ting sad ting’ (sic).

And a couple of minutes later, a second status update followed, saying ‘What have I done’.

Despite warrants being carried out in the Medway area of Kent, the Midmore brothers have still not been located.

Will Whale, Detective Inspector of Hampshire Constabulary, leading the hunt for the brothers, said today:

“We have executed warrants in the Medway area of Kent and are working closely with our colleagues in Kent Police and the Metropolitan Police Service in the search for Billy and Geoffrey Midmore.

“Hampshire officers have travelled to Kent and the Met area to work closely with them and further this investigation.

“The victim is now out of hospital, but her injuries are life-changing and horrific.

“So far, the public has been fantastic in coming forward with information to help us, but we need you to help us find these men who we believe were involved in this horrendous attack.

“Our message to them and to those who may be helping them is there is no hiding place.

“Anyone who is harbouring the Midmores or has assisted them since the weekend will be found.

“If you have helped them run, given them a vehicle, financed them, or even communicated with them without telling us, you are now involved in the investigation.

“You will be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We urge you to give them up now.

“If you were in the Guildhall Square in the group that was involved in this attack and you haven’t come forward yet, you will be a suspect.

“Come forward and speak to us.

“We are checking CCTV in Kent and making extensive enquiries in that area.

“The CCTV we are releasing today shows both Midmore brothers at 2.44pm on Sunday, about 36 hours after the attack.

“We know that on the night of the assault they caught a train to Basingstoke directly after the attack but were back in town the next day and visited McDonald’s at Swaythling.

“They appear on the CCTV looking relaxed, confident and smirking.

“Help us find them. If you think you have seen them or know where they are, do not approach them. Call us on 101 immediately, quoting Operation Interstate.”

Criminal Injuries – Expert Advice

We understand that if you have been subjected to an act of violence, your thoughts will turn to making a full recovery – compensation will likely be the last thing on your mind.

There is however a government scheme that provides compensation to victims or their families at this tragic time. The scheme is called CICA (The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority). Once your claim is accepted by Hampson Hughes Solicitors, we will liaise with CICA on your behalf.

If you would like expert advice on this type of case, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6888 or email

Source: Mail Online

Paedophile Caught on CCTV Abducting 6 Year Old Girl

The Daily Mail last week revealed CCTV footage showing the moment when Imran Khan, a convicted paedophile, bundled a 6 year old girl into the boot of his car and drove off.

Known Paedophile

Imran Khan was already on the sex offenders register when the incident with the 6 year old took place, for a previous offence involving a 12 year old girl. He was convicted in 2008 for 9 years, but was released in 2013 – serving less than half of his sentence.

The little girl seen on CCTV was playing on her bike in the late afternoon in March earlier this year, when she was spotted by Khan.

Khan followed her for a while before grabbing the child and putting her in the boot of his vehicle. He then drove her 4 miles from Burnley to Hapton, where he exposed himself and attempted to force the young girl to commit a sexual act on him.

Once he had finished, he dumped the child into a nearby wheelie bin and left. The girl was discovered in a state some time later by a group of children playing in the area.

Sentencing

Khan was charged with and pleaded guilty to kidnap, kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence and also for breach of a sexual offences prevention order.

Jim Elston, Detective Inspector for Preston Police, said:

“This was a horrendous offence which would have been terrifying for any adult, let alone a young child.

“Imran Khan was a registered sex offender living in the community after he was convicted in 2008 of a sexual offence involving a 12-year-old girl.

“While we have rigorous systems in place to manage sex offenders who have served a sentence and been released into the community, this cannot happen 24 hours a day and unfortunately on occasion an offender may go on to commit a further offence as happened in this case.

“Thankfully that is relatively rare.”

He added:

“There is currently a review on going into this particular case and we will clearly look carefully at the results of that to see if there are any lessons we can learn.”

Sexual Abuse – Expert Advice

Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. Our Abuse & Criminal Injuries Department is headed by Greg Neill – Greg is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL).

For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email

You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.

Director of Public Prosecutions Calls for Sexual Assault Rethink

The country’s top prosecutor, Alison Saunders, has appealed for women to consider seeking advice from a rape councillor, if they wake up in a man’s bed with no memory of the night before.

Mrs Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions, said women who find themselves in this position should consider if they have been a victim of sexual assault and if they require support. Mrs Saunders went on to say that if there is suspicion that an assault has taken place; the police should be contacted immediately. She said:

“Consent has to be given but, equally, there has to be an offence there.

“If they can’t remember what’s happened I might go to a support group and ask for some help and talk it through with somebody.

“If she thinks that there may have been an offence she should certainly talk to the police. We would encourage anyone who has any thought they may have been raped and weren’t capable of consenting to go to the police.

Mrs Saunders’ comments follow the continued struggle by police and prosecutors to increase the number of rapists convicted and to cut the number of sexual offences taking place.

Call for change in law

Earlier this year, Dame Elish Angiolini asked for a change in the law so that women should be able to automatically claim that they were raped if they have sex whilst under the influence of alcohol.

In her report, Dame Angiolini said that a woman should be considered incapable of consenting to sex if she was intoxicated. Dame Angiolini called for the Sexual Offences Act to be amended and for there to be improved clarification of the law where there is alcohol involved.

Top prosecutors concurred with this view, saying that the legal system should recognise certain situations where a person is not able to consent, including when a person is too intoxicated to consent.

Mrs Saunders, during a talk on a BBC show with Victoria Derbyshire, reiterated that her comments were not solely referring to rape by strangers. She added that even within a relationship or even marriage, intercourse without consent is a crime. Mrs Saunders went on to say:

“It’s not for the man to prove his innocence; it’s for us to prove his guilt. We would look at that and see if there’s enough evidence to take it before the court. We would normally look at other evidence of how drunk someone was – if we’ve got CCTV evidence of someone falling out of a nightclub looking incapacitated, for example.”

Past efforts

There have been numerous past efforts to toughen rape laws, most of which have been unsuccessful. Such efforts include a ‘sex breathalyser’, whereby if a person has consumed a certain amount of alcohol, they would be deemed unable to consent to intercourse.

However, Lord Judge ruled in 2007 that it would not be feasible, impossible even, to implement a system that links the amount of alcohol consumed with their capacity to consent. A man convicted of raping a student following one intoxicated evening, saw his conviction quashed after the Court of Appeal ruled that even when drunk, a person is capable of consent.

At present, lawyers ask jurors to use ‘common sense’ when deciding if an accuser was capable or not of consenting to sex, often referencing past rape trials involving intoxicated parties in order to support their case.

Sexual Abuse – Expert Advice

Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. Our Abuse & Criminal Injuries Department is headed by Greg Neill – Greg is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL).

For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email

You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.

Source: Mail Online

Young Soldier Dies Following Attack Outside Cornish Nightclub

A young soldier who had served in Afghanistan has died following an altercation in his hometown of Redruth, Cornwall.

Altercation

Dave Curnow was found in the early hours of Sunday morning by a member of the public. Curnow was discovered lying unconscious on the floor after he was involved in an earlier incident outside a nightclub. After suffering serious head injuries he was taken by ambulance to Royal Cornwall Hospital and later transferred to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Curnow died earlier this week in hospital.

Liam Laing of Chacewater and Conor Hammond of Redruth, both 21, have been charged with the murder of 20 year old Curnow. The pair have been remanded in custody and will appear at Truro Magistrates’ Court this week.

According to deputy head of Major Crime at Devon and Cornwall Police, Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Mike West, the suspects are thought not to be previously known by the victim. DCI West said:

“The victim was taken to Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske and was immediately transferred to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth due to his injuries.

“Earlier this afternoon we received the tragic news the victim has died as a result of his injuries.”

The detective went on to say that he believed no weapons had been used during the attack. He added that the deceased’s family had been informed, with specially trained officers on hand to offer any support that might be needed.

Arrest

The alleged offenders were arrested shortly after the altercation took place. The pair were initially arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm, however this was altered following the death of the victim. The pair have since been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Devon and Cornwall police have carried out a number of house to house enquiries around Redruth since the incident and this line of investigation is on-going.

Criminal Injuries – Expert Advice

We understand that if you have been subjected to an act of violence, your thoughts will turn to making a full recovery – compensation will likely be the last thing on your mind.

There is however a government scheme that provides compensation to victims or their families at this tragic time. The scheme is called CICA (The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority). Once your claim is accepted by Hampson Hughes Solicitors, we will liaise with CICA on your behalf.

If you would like expert advice on this type of case, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6888 or email

Source: Daily Mail

Man Attacked by Dog in Liverpool City Centre

A man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after he was attacked by a dog in Liverpool City Centre earlier this week. Witnesses claim the man was set upon by a pit bull or bull mastiff at around 6.30pm on Monday in the Ropewalks area of the city.

A dogs unit, as well as a number of police cars and vans responded to the attack, which according to witnesses took place near a group of young children. An elderly woman on a mobility scooter attempted to intervene and sprayed water in the dog’s face. She said:

“My grandchild came running up to me and said ‘don’t you go down there – you’ll not be able to run away’ – but I feared for the children still down there.

“The dog had the man over the bonnet of the car, going for him. His tracksuit bottoms were ripped from him but the man struggled to get free.

“The man was screaming for help.

“I managed to get up to the dog and squirt it in the face with a bottle of water that was in the street, which startled it. Dogs don’t like water directly in their face.”

Witnesses described the incident as ‘horrendous’, with one woman saying:

“I never want to see anything like that in my life, again”

The Merseyside Police dogs unit responded to the attack and it is believed that police marksmen were also called to the emergency on Kent Street. However, according to those at the scene, the animal ran back to its owner following the attack and could not be located.

Merseyside Police have confirmed that the victim suffered wounds to his arms and leg and was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.

Dog attack compensation – expert advice

If you have been injured in a dog attack, you could be entitled to maximum personal injury compensation. We understand that you may have questions regarding your claim – that is why we offer you a FREE no-obligation consultation.

For further information about dog attack compensation, and to discover how we could help you, speak to our dedicated team of solicitors today on 0800 888 6 888 or email

Source: Liverpool Echo

Devon Pensioner Charged With Sexual Assault

A 70 year old has appeared in court over an alleged sexual assault that took place in Barnstaple, North Devon this year.

The pensioner, Martin Bruce, confirmed his name, age and address at North Devon Magistrates’ last week.

Bruce has been charged with one count of sexual assault by penetration of a female aged 16 or over. The offence is alleged to have taken place on February 12th 2015.

Bruce is due to appear at Exeter Crown Court on October 9th and has been released on unconditional bail until this date.

Sexual Abuse – Expert Advice

Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. Our Abuse & Criminal Injuries Department is headed by Greg Neill – Greg is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL).

For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email

You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.

Source: North Devon Journal

Transport Firm Prosecuted After Worker Crushed By Crate

An Ipswich-based transport company has been fined after a crate fell on one of its employees, trapping him against a container.

The incident occurred in April 2013. The employee was working as a warehouse foreman, and had only joined the company in that capacity three weeks earlier. He and another worker were unloading two tonne containers containing crates of glass mirrors.

The second of the two containers had no forklift pockets or any interior lighting. The foreman therefore had to get very close to the container in order to guide the forklift truck operator properly. During this process, some of the crates became jammed in the container. As the truck operator tried to dislodge them, one of the crates suddenly fell out on top of the foreman, trapping him against the side of the container.

Aftermath

The injuries suffered by the worker are life-changing, and it is estimated that it will be at least three years before he is able to work again.

Ipswich Magistrates’ Court fined Portmans Transport Limited, of Bryon Avenue, Felixstowe, a total of £9,000. The firm was also ordered to pay £917 in costs. It was found guilty of an offence under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Corinne Godfrey stated:

“This worker was employed by the company for less than three weeks as a Warehouse Foreman, and although he had previous job experience which involved the maintenance and repair of containers, he had never been involved with this type of unloading work known as ‘devanning’.This incident was inevitable, neither worker had seen the procedures manual or any risk assessments/method statements relating to the unloading of containers.

The company failed to plan what should happen when it was identified that loads were not able to be readily offloaded by forklift truck.

It’s essential that before any work tasks are carried out, the relevant risks should be identified and appropriate control measures put in place to protect against them.”

If you have been affected by a serious accident at work, our expert Accident and Catastrophic Injuries teams are here to help. Get in touch today on on 0800 888 6888 or email [email protected].

Source: Health & Safety Executive

PC Neil Doyle Killing: Calls for Sentences to Be Reviewed

Timmy Donovan and Andrew Taylor were sentenced last week to a total of 14 years in jail following the killing of off duty police officer, PC Neil Doyle, in December last year.

Altercation

The newly married officer died after being struck during an altercation on Colquitt Street, Liverpool City Centre, in the early hours of December 19th 2014.

Donovan and Taylor were each convicted of manslaughter with Donovan receiving a jail sentence of six years and 10 months, while Taylor was jailed for seven years and six months. The pair were also convicted of wounding with intent for attacking PC Doyle’s fellow officer, PC Marshall and Taylor was separately found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent for an assault on PC Michael Steventon.

However, this week the Attorney General’s office has confirmed that it has received a request for the pair’s sentences to be reconsidered under the unduly lenient sentence system.

Twitter Campaign

This comes after a twitter campaign was launched following the pair’s sentencing last week. An account in the name of Sarah Doyle, PC Doyle’s widow, sent out a tweet this week stating:

“We are looking to have the Attorney General review the sentences handed out in respect of the manslaughter of PC Neil Doyle and also the sec 18’s on his colleagues.”

Supporters were encouraged to “email your dissatisfaction” to the Attorney General, with the user adding “Your support would be really appreciated.”

The account also sent a tweet to Liverpool born Leigh MP Andy Burnham and the Shadow Home Secretary. The tweet read:

“I’ve sent you an email re the sentence of my husband PC Doyles killers. don’t be like other MPs and ignore it. #youhadmyvote”

(sic)

While the Attorney General’s office has confirmed that it received the request to review Donovan and Taylor’s sentences, it will not disclose who sent it.

Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme

The unduly lenient sentence scheme legally means that a ‘sentence is so unfairly low that a judge cannot believe it is right’. The scheme can only be considered for the most serious of cases and a review must be asked for within 28 days of sentencing.

Mr Justice Turner said whilst sentencing the pair:

“This was an unlawful attack and you must have known that Mr Doyle would be injured as a result.

“Neither of these officers you assaulted posed a threat to you. They were trying to keep the peace throughout.

“The medical evidence does not establish if it was the first or second blow which caused Mr Doyle’s death but he died against the background of a joint enterprise.

“I am sure that the harm you did intend to inflict was significant. Death is all too frequently caused by things going wrong in the course of violence criminality. There is no such thing as a death-proof punch.”

Mr Justice Turner said he accepted that it was Taylor’s actions that led to the “fracas”, ultimately leading to PC Doyle’s death.

Liverpool Crown Court heard neither defendant had admitted landing the fatal punch. The pair were convicted under the ‘joint enterprise’ law, which is often viewed as controversial.

In a statement PC Doyle’s widow, Sarah Doyle, said:

“My last words to him as he left were I love you, stay safe and ring me when you want me to pick you up. I am still waiting for that call.

“I honestly believe that when I heard the knock on the door, Neil had been given a lift home by colleagues.

“Neil, my best friend, my husband, had been killed. Since December 19 I feel like my whole world has been torn apart. I feel numb, emotionless, lost, like I am among the outside of the situation looking in.

“This should have been the happiest time of our lives; instead it has been the worst. It hasn’t even been six months since Neil was standing at the bottom of the aisle waiting for me on our wedding day.

“I hate what Taylor and Donovan have put me and my family through. I will never forgive them for this. Their families will be able to see them but I will only be able to visit a grave.”

Criminal Injuries – Expert Advice

We understand that if you have been subjected to an act of violence, your thoughts will turn to making a full recovery – compensation will likely be the last thing on your mind.

There is however a government scheme that provides compensation to victims or their families at this tragic time. The scheme is called CICA (The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority). Once your claim is accepted by Hampson Hughes Solicitors, we will liaise with CICA on your behalf.

If you would like expert advice on this type of case, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6888 or email

Laundry Firm Fined For Worker Burns

A Stockport-based laundry company has appeared in court after one of its workers suffered third degree burns.

The employee, who is 34 and a father of one, was working on a mezzanine floor at Vineshield Professional Services Ltd, when it collapsed and he fell through. He landed on an industrial iron and suffered severe burns.

An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive gathered evidence from witnesses that there were leaks in the roof which dripped onto the floor. Bare metal was exposed in worn gaps in the wood of the floor. The HSE concluded that the firm had not properly monitored the condition of the floor, nor had it ascertained whether it was of suitable construction in the first place.

Fines

Trafford Magistrates’ Court fined Vineshield Professional Services Ltd, of Baxall Business Centre, Adswood Industrial Estate, Stockport, £20,000 and ordered it to pay costs of £7,915.50. The laundry firm was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Regulation 12(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Helen Jones stated:

“Vineshield Professional Services failed to carry out checks to ensure the floor was safe to work on. This was of importance due to the heat and steam generated in the working environment. An industrial iron giving off steam was situated directly underneath the mezzanine floor. The injured worker was severely burnt and had to undergo very painful treatment in hospital.”

If you have had a serious accident at work, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact our team for expert advice today on 0800 888 6888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive