Two men have been sentenced to a total of five years in prison following the death of a site worker in Northamptonshire, England, three years ago.
The manager of the site, Andrew Winterton, 52, was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence and sentenced to four years. Dean Wortley, 48, the operator of a trench digger, was sentenced to 12 months for health and safety breaches following a nine-week trial at Northampton Crown Court.
The incident happened on 4 September 2014 at a building site in Collyweston.
The court heard that Shane Wilkinson, 33, died when the unsecured wall of a trench gave way. It was told that Wortley had incorrectly excavated the trench and that Winterton ignored basic safety measures.
Superintendent Stephen Woliter said the culture of the building site was "chaotic and also culpable because they knew what the rules were and chose to ignore them".
He added Wilkinson, a father of five from Crowland, Lincolnshire, had only worked at the site for two days when the accident happened. He was working to help buy shoes for his children before they started school.
Wortley was also found guilty of failing to take all practicable steps to prevent danger and told to pay £20,000 in costs. Winterton and Conquest Homes were told to pay £90,500 in fines and costs.
Image: Shane Wilkinson had been working to buy shoes for his children
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why no corporate manslaughter charge against house building company..WINTERTON AND CONQUEST HOMES