Boss's 'callous indifference' led to death

Boss's 'callous indifference' led to death

A 5.5m high stack of timber fell over at the woodyard

The callous indifference of a Hull company boss resulted in the death of a young timber yard worker, a Crown Court judge said.

Company director John Horner has been given a 15 month prison sentence, suspended for two years and his firm, Teglgaard Hardwood UK fined £25,000 over the death of 18-year-old Christopher Longrigg.

Hull Crown Court heard how the teenage worker was crushed to death after a stack of wood fell on him at the company's Hessle wood yard.

Horner, and the company, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to the manslaughter of Mr Longrigg.

A manslaughter charge against Horner's son, also called John, a director of the firm, was dropped.

Mr Longrigg had been working for the company less than two months when a 5.5m high stack of timber fell on him.

Your callous indifference was the direct cause of this young lad's death

Judge Tom Cracknell

The court heard that Teglgaard Hardwood UK had paid scant regard to even the most basic health and safety precautions and had not assessed the risks to employees.

Judge Tom Cracknell told Horner: "Your callous indifference was the direct cause of this young lad's death."

Mitigating, barrister Gary Burrell said Horner was the lynchpin and cornerstone to the success of the business and workers and his family depended on him.

"As regards what happened it is unquestionable that it is going to remain with him for the rest of his life" said Mr Burrell.