Family of Jon Currie welcome health and safety conviction
The family of scaffolder Jon Currie, who died on a building site in Kensington, have welcomed the sentencing today of Kevin Leathers, the Director of G & L Scaffolding and Roofing Ltd, for a breach of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 at Southwark Crown Court. Leathers was sentenced to eight months imprisonment.
Posted on 03 February 2020
Jon died on 10 July 2017, leaving behind four children, two step-children and his fiancée Maxine Carter.
Jon had been working for G & L Scaffolding and Roofing Limited on their site at 64 Bedford Gardens in London. On the day of his death he had been working with the foreman to dismantle a temporary roof over a basement excavation when he fell and sustained multiple fatal injuries.
The court heard that there had been a number of failings in the health and safety provisions on the site including not having a safe system of work in place to do work on the roof canopy including no suitable work platforms and no harnesses were being used.
A manslaughter by gross negligence charge initially brought against Kevin Leathers by the CPS was dropped.
Maxine is also bringing a civil claim against G & L Scaffolding and Roofing Limited for alleged breaches of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
Maxine said following the sentencing today:
“Nothing will ever bring our beloved Jon back but it makes such a difference knowing that Kevin Leathers has accepted responsibility for Jon’s death.
“Jon was one in a million, he was a loving man who doted on his family and worked really hard to ensure we were all provided for. He was known for being a hard worker and even when he was not working he would help around the house, doing any DIY that needed doing, and helping with the children. He loved spending time with them.
“Jon’s loss has been a huge blow to our family and as he provided our only income his death has caused us to have to move out of our home and move into several temporary accommodations before we finally got a new house in Leicester, closer to family.
“We all miss Jon terribly and we are pleased there has finally been some justice for the failings that led to his death.”
Laura Murphy, solicitor at Leigh Day who is representing Maxine in her civil claim, added:
“I am pleased that Jon’s family have now received some justice as Kevin Leathers has admitted his company’s responsibility for serious health and safety breaches. Now that the criminal prosecution is concluded, we will seek a resolution of the civil claim as swiftly as possible so that the family has some financial security with which to rebuild their lives.”