Corporate manslaughter - trial adjourned until October

Mar 01, 2010

The first trial to take place under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 was due to commence today but has been adjourned until October for the company director to receive "urgent and intensive" medical treatment. A pre-trial review is scheduled for July.

Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings is accused of gross negligence following the death of a young geologist, and in addition, Company Director Peter Eaton has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Mr Justice Field told the jury: “What has happened in this case is that I have acceded to the application of the defence to adjourn this trial for a longish period because the defendant Mr Eaton requires urgent and intensive medical treatment.

“It would be unfair to require him to participate in this trial at the same time as undergoing this treatment.”

 A date has to be confirmed for the trial to re-commence.