Businessman jailed over worker's death

A businessman convicted over the death of a worker at a Norfolk skip hire firm near Attleborough has been jailed.

Robert Baldwin, managing director of Baldwin Skip Hire, was convicted of health and safety offences following a six-day trial in March over the death of James Criddle in 2017.

Mr Criddle was operating a screening machine at the Besthorpe-based business when his clothing became trapped in exposed moving parts, causing him to suffocate.

The court heard the screening machine, used to separate waste material of different sizes, had been purchased second hand and arrived on site with no operating manual or similar documents on how to use the machine safely.

Baldwin had been charged with manslaughter, which he denied and was acquitted of by a jury. He was found guilty of neglect in failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety Act.

The company, Baldwin Skip Hire, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for failing to discharge general health, safety and welfare.

Appearing at Norwich Crown Court today Baldwin, of Silver Street, Besthorpe, was jailed for12 months and the company Baldwin Skip Hire was fined £75,000.

Detectives from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team launched an enquiry, working alongside the Health and Safety Executive, resulting in charges being brought against the company and managing director.

In a statement, James’ family described him as "was one of life’s decent people."

They said: "He was kind, caring, loving and would help anyone. He was a son to Naomi, loving partner to Holly, brother to Alan and father to his daughter Lexi.

"On the 15th May 2017 his life was brought to a premature, shocking and sudden end – and that is so unfair. It was a death that shouldn’t have happened and could so easily have been prevented.