Firm neglected health of workers

A firm has admitted responsibility for the death of a worker who crashed and died while driving home after a third consecutive shift of nearly 20 hours.

The Produce Connection, of Chittering, Cambs, admitted failing to ensure the health of workers and the public.

The Cambridge Crown Court prosecution over the death of Mark Fiebig, 21, of Soham, is the first of its kind in the UK by the Health and Safety Executive.

But the firm may avoid a "big" fine as it is nearly bust, the court heard.

Public outrage

Recorder Peter Guest asked for more information about the company's financial state and adjourned sentencing to a date to be fixed.

Mr Fiebig, an agricultural worker, died after the Ford Escort van he was driving drifted into the path of an oncoming articulated lorry on the A10 near Ely, Cambridgeshire, in October 2002.

Judge Guest said the case would arouse public concern - possibly outrage.

He said a company in a healthy financial position would have to pay a "significant financial penalty" after admitting such offences.

But lawyers for The Produce Connection said the company had an overdraft of nearly £2m and was on the verge of insolvency.