Two in court over farmer’s death (From Gazette & Herald)

Two in court over death of farmer Robert Ireland

9:47am Monday 24th September 2012 in News By Megi Rychlikova, megi.rychlikova@thepress.co.uk

TWO workmen have appeared in court charged with health and safety breaches following the death of a farmer.

Robert Ireland, 71, died at Manor Wold Farm in East Heslerton, near Malton , when a roller door collapsed on him. The door had recently been fitted to a new grain store.

Paul Halliwell, 43, of Haslewood Road, Stockport, and David Whittaker, 39, of Bradley Green Road, Manchester, both face a charge of failing to ensure Mr Ireland’s safety when they installed the door.

Halliwell also faces a charge of failing to ensure that the door was safe to use. The offences are alleged to have occurred between July 2, 2010, and October 28, 2010, the day Mr Ireland died.

When they appeared before York Crown Court, Halliwell and Whittaker denied all the charges they faced and their case was adjourned for trial.

They were released on unconditional bail and will be tried at Teesside Crown Court at a date yet to be decided. The case was brought by the Health and Safety Executive which investigated events leading up to Mr Ireland’s death.

The farmer died shortly after he returned home from carrying out business in Malton on October 28, 2010. He went to put some equipment in the grain store.

A few minutes later, his brother, John, who had been with him in Malton, heard a crash and found him lying underneath the door which had fallen to the floor.

Robert Ireland died of multiple injuries.