Coach company fined after worker's death

A coach company, based in Stafford, has been fined £18,000 after one of its employees was crushed while repairing a vehicle.

Chris Leak, who was 21, was mending the bus belonging to Leon's Coach Travel.

Stafford Magistrates Court heard how Chris Leak had died in hospital after the coach he had crawled under rolled back onto him.

His parents Chris and Christine Leak said after the case that the fine was not enough.

Safety record

"We were hoping for the case to go to crown court so the company would get a much bigger fine," Mr Leak told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It's just pocket money for them."

Mr Leak had only been with Leon's Coach Travel for four months when he was called out to help get a bus re-started, after it broke down in Sundown Drive in the town.

Mr Leak had crawled under the coach to release the air brakes which had seized up, when it rolled back fatally injuring him.

He later died in hospital.

The chairman of the magistrates, Mr Anthony Shaw, said they had taken into account the firm's previous excellent safety record which had lasted more than 30 years.

He imposed fines of £18, 000 for not ensuring a worker's safety and not carrying out the proper risk assessment.

Leon's was also told to pay costs of £7,500.