Firm charged with corporate manslaughter following death of worker

A Telford firm has been charged with corporate manslaughter following the death of an employee in December 2018.

Autostructures UK Ltd, formerly known as GKN Autostructures Ltd, in Telford has been charged with corporate manslaughter and failing to discharge the employer’s general duty under the Health and Safety Act at work.

Four people have also been charged with failing to discharge the employer’s general duty under the Health and Safety Act at work. They are:
• Timothy Mitchell, aged 48, of Rodington Heath in Shrewsbury
• Jack Fallows, aged 33, Moss Drive in Newport, Telford
• Julie Pearce, aged 55, of Sweet Chestnut Grove, The Rock in Telford
• Andrea Iacchetti, aged 50, who currently resides in Italy

Those charged are due to appear at Telford Magistrates' Court today (Tuesday 23 April).

The charges relate to an incident that happened on December 13, 2018, which led to the death of 47-year-old Steven Westbrook on December 17, 2018.

Steven’s family have paid tribute to him, saying he is "deeply missed". The statement says: “The loss of Steven has been painful for everyone who knew him, he is deeply missed by all his family and friends. Sadly missed, never forgotten.”

RJ, Corporate Communications