‘Gross negligence manslaughter’ charge for bosses after death
BOSSES at a Midland recycling company have been charged after a member of staff was killed at work nearly three years ago.
Father-of-one Stuart Towns, 24, suffered serious head injuries and died while working at Alutrade Limited, in Tat Bank Road, Oldbury.
Following an investigation supported by the Health & Safety Executive, detectives have now charged the company with corporate manslaughter over the death, which happened on July 24, 2017. In addition, director Malcolm George, 53, of Bromsgrove, director Kevin Pugh, 44, from Sutton Coldfield, and manager Mark Redfern, 59, of Rowley Regis, have all been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
They will appear at Walsall Magistrates Court for an initial hearing on September 23.
The family of Mr Towns, who lived in Oldbury, said: “It has been almost three years since we sadly lost Stuart and there is not a day that passes that we don’t think of him.
“The past three years have been very painful and it breaks our hearts he is no longer with us.
“Following the news of the charges that have been made, we remain hopeful that our questions will be answered so we can begin to make sense of this tragedy.
“Stuart was loving, caring, generous, full of life and always had a smile on his face.
“He was always willing to help anyone that needed it and would never expect anything in return. His huge presence is greatly missed by us all.
“Those that knew Stuart will have fond memories to look back on. Stuart was always there for his family and friends.
“Stuart was a father of one, he was a loving son and brother, a good friend with a kind heart. He will be forever loved and always missed.”