Parents seek compensation for death of their son

The parents of a boy who died whilst operating machinery have requested that the directors of Construct Furniture compensate them for their involvement in the wrongful death of their son.

Leonard and Claudette Bartolo are seeking compensation after their son, Matthew, from Kirkop, aged 17, died on June 4, 2015, when he was operating a woodworking machine used to manufacture doors at Construct Furniture premises.

The accident happened at 12.30pm.

The Sunday Times had reported that a magisterial inquiry, which had been appointed to investigate the death, concluded that the company directors John Agius, his daughter Amanda Cefai and her husband James Cefai should face criminal charges for involuntary homicide.

The inquiring magistrate, Joe Mifsud, had noted that Mr Bartolo’s signature on training sheets presented by the company as evidence may have been forged.

The company, the inquiry stated, had also failed to follow health and safety procedures.

The three company officials subsequently filed a court application asking the court to order the police to investigate the leak. They argued that the newspaper report was published before they had even been given a copy of the inquiry conclusions and before any criminal action had been initiated. This, they said, jeopardised their position and could obstruct the court procedures.

They also raised questions as to the interests of those who had leaked the information. The directors also said they disagreed with the inquiry conclusions and would be challenging them in the relevant forums.

The Attorney General and the Police Commissioner assured the court that they had not passed on any information to the media and had not received any requests to this effect.

After referring to local and foreign case law, Magistrate Joe Mifsud turned down the directors’ request. Dr Mifsud said the Times’ report had only mentioned a fraction of the whole inquiry report and said that in a democratic society no one could expect a magistrate to order the police to oppress journalists and hinder them from carrying out their duties.

Jason Azzopardi is representing the claimants.