Six-year legal process close to its final act
ALMOST six years after the tragic events of July 17, 2015, the long and painful path of the legal process is almost over, with just sentencing left.
Following the explosion, which firefighters described as leaving ‘a scene of devastation’, a painstaking investigation began involving the police, fire and Health and Safety Executive.
This resulted in charges being brought against Wood Treatment Ltd, owner George Boden and managers Phillip Smith and Peter Shingler, it was announced in November 2019.
They then appeared in court for the first time at Stockport Magistrates Court on December 2, 2019.
The matter was referred up to Chester Crown Court.
But it was not until 2021 that the trial began, with an estimated length of three months.
It was originally scheduled for mid January but one of the defendants was taken ill and a series of postponements meant it was delayed.
After some evidence was heard a retrial was then ordered and proceedings began for a second time on February 8 at Chester Nightingale Court.
The final day of this was on Friday, April 30. Mr Smith and Mr Shingler were both cleared of a health and safety offence.
Boden was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty to a health and safety offence and Wood Treatment Ltd had admitted a charge of failing to ensure the health and safety of employees prior to the trial.
Matthew Bailey, son of cleaner Dorothy Bailey, who lost her life in the tragedy, followed proceedings and has told of how difficult this was.
Speaking after the conclusion he said: “I am glad it’s over. We can actually move on from the last six years.
“It has been constantly in your mind all the time that you have got this court case.
“It has almost been like judgement day, it is finally done and you’ve not got to worry about it anymore.
“It was hard listening to what was said and seeing the photos.
“Listening to people say where they were and hearing the victims’ names brought it home.
“People were talking about your family and the way they died.
“It was complicated. “I hope me or anyone else never has to go through that again. It was nerve-wracking and scary. There are four people who were there who are not with us anymore. They went to work and never came home.”