A COMPANY director from Blackburn, charged with unlawfully killing an employee by gross negligence, has had his case adjourned.
Peter Preston, of Rowen Park, was due to appear for a pre-trial hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, accused of causing the death of Christopher Shute, who fell into a vat of paint at a car factory.
But the case was taken out of the court list and a new hearing set for September.
Preston, 50, and co-defendant Paul MacKenzie, 53, were accused after the 30-year-old factory worker died. Neither have yet entered a plea.
Mr Shute, of Winchester Road, Southampton, slipped and fell into a giant vat at the Ford paint shop in Southampton, Hants.
Preston and MacKenzie were allegedly responsible for health and safety in the workshop at Philip's Services, where Mr Shute was employed.
An 18-month investigation by Hampshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive led to the arrest of the two directors earlier this year.
Preston and MacKenzie are both on unconditional bail.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article