Former manager pleads not guilty to farm deaths
Andrew Stocker, 57, a former manager of a Tory peer’s family estate, has denied two counts of gross negligence manslaughter following the deaths of two men who were both found unconscious in the apple store at Lord Selborne’s Blackmoor Estate in February 2013.
Scott Cain, 23, and Ashley Clarke, 24, who worked on the estate near Liss, Hampshire, died while retrieving apples from a long-term storage container in which fruit is kept at very low oxygen levels, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
At Winchester Crown Court, Mr Stocker pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of two farm workers. Blackmoor Estate did not enter pleas to four health and safety charges after it was accused of contravening regulations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The case against the estate was adjourned for a further plea and case management hearing on 9 January.
A trial date was set for both defendants of 3 June and Mr Stocker was released on unconditional bail.
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]
The Safety Conversation Podcast: Listen now!
The Safety Conversation with SHP (previously the Safety and Health Podcast) aims to bring you the latest news, insights and legislation updates in the form of interviews, discussions and panel debates from leading figures within the profession.Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts, subscribe and join the conversation today![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="15px"][vc_btn title="Listen here!" color="success" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shponline.co.uk%2Fthe-safety-and-health-podcast%2F|target:_blank"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="91215" img_size="medium"][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Former manager pleads not guilty to farm deaths
Andrew Stocker, 57, a former manager of a Tory peer’s family estate, has denied two counts of gross negligence manslaughter
Lauren Applebey
SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources Related Topics
Employers must offer menopausal support or face legal action, new guidance says
Joinery firm fined for health and safety failings
Nathan Baker – Institute of Occupational Medicine
