The first case to be brought against a UK company under the new Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act has been adjourned due to concerns over the health of its director.
Charges were laid by the Crown Prosecution Service in April 2009 against Cotswold Geotechnical (Holdings), following the death of one of its employee, Alex Wright, on a Gloucestershire site in September 2008.
The company and its managing director Peter Eaton were charged with manslaughter by gross negligence and a health and safety offence in his own personal capacity.
Mr Justice Field heard submissions in private on 26 February 2010. He directed that the trial be adjourned for at least 18 weeks and be listed to resume in early October 2010.
Field said Eaton must undergo urgent medical treatment of a character which would render it unfair and oppressive for him to have to participate in the trial at the same time.
Eaton could be jailed for life if convicted, while Cotswold Geotechnical faces an unlimited fine.
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