CPS advises Greater Manchester Police to bring second corporate manslaughter case

The Crown Prosecution Service gave the green light to the second corporate manslaughter case earlier this month.

Alison Storey, reviewing lawyer in the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "I have advised Greater Manchester Police to charge Lion Steel Ltd in Manchester with corporate manslaughter following the tragic death of Steven Berry at the Hyde site on Johnson Brook Road when he fell through a fragile roof panel and died as a result of injuries sustained in the fall.

“I have also decided that three of the company directors - Kevin Palliser, Richard Williams and Graham Coupe - should be charged with gross negligence manslaughter.”

The three men were also charged under section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for failing to ensure the safety at work of their employees. Lion Steel was also charged under section 2 and 33 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for failing to ensure the safety at work of its employees.

Storey added: "I have taken this decision after very carefully reviewing the material gathered in the police investigation and have concluded that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to bring these charges."

The first hearing will take place at Tameside Magistrates' Court on the 2 August 2011.

The first corporate manslaughter case saw Cotwold Geotechnical (Holdings) convicted at Winchester Crown Court under the Corporate Manslaughter Act. This followed the death of a junior geologist when he was investigating soil conditions in a trench.