‘Cost cutting by UKIP man killed worker’
A FORMER UKIP general election candidate is on trial for manslaughter after a labourer was buried alive in a trench as he fixed his swimming pool.
Keith Crawford refused to hire £480 of safety gear, telling workers: “F*** that, this is costing stupid money”, Exeter crown court heard yesterday.
Workman Peter Clements, 48, died in hospital three days after a ninefoot-deep trench caved in on him during heavy rain.
Crawford, 73, said he had paid Mr Clements £3,600 and he was responsible for his own safety.
The former soldier and property manager, of Ide, Devon, denies gross negligence manslaughter and failing to ensure an employee’s safety in 2015.
The trial continues.