Bristol farmers fined £7,500 over teen death
A father and son convicted of health and safety breaches following the death of a Bristol teenager caught in a machine on their farm have been fined a total of £7,500.
A jury found Roy and Michael Hill, of R E Hill and Son in Dundry, guilty of failing to train and supervise 17-year-old Lee Mason, of Knowle, whose neck was crushed when he was snagged by an unguarded soil sifter in April 2007 - three weeks short of his 18th birthday.
Roy Hill, 66, and Michael Hill, 32, both denied manslaughter by gross neglect and were acquitted of that charge after a two week trial at Bristol Crown Court.
The pair have also been ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.
7 Comments
by Bristol is, Bristol
Friday, January 23 2009, 5:20PM
“Firstly, my apologies to the family for the loss of life.
Also bear in mind that Lee was going to be asked to leave the farm by the Employers. It was Lees family that talked and CONVINCED the Farmers to keep him on...
I also feel for the Farmers and what they had to go through, and their own family and workers.
But who really is to blame..?
When I was a young man, I too worked with machinery on a building site. I was told NOT to touch or drive anything - But I did. I also climebed trees, jumped over buildings and climbed rock faces and risked my life. I knew I was taking a risk.
This young man died because of something HE DID. Why would he put himself inside a dangerous machine without switching it off first or calling someone.
I feel that this loss was due to the negligence of the young lad and not to farmers.
If your friend told you to do something that you felt could harm you or somebody else, would you do it...???
I THINK NOT....!!
There is a tragic loss on both sides, but I feel the Courts have been a little too harsh.
If the world gets any worse, we won't walk the streets, drive a car, step on a bus or plane or enjoy activities. All of which carry a risk.
We risk our lives everyday but when a life is lost, we always look to blame someone for it.
I strongly feel that the young lad has caused a lot of pain to people and all he had to do was stop the machine, call for help and wait...
My thoughts go out to both parties involed..
Now let us move on and leave them in peace...”
by Lisa, Bristol
Friday, January 23 2009, 3:42PM
“My sympathy goes out to Lee's family and to the family of the farmers involved. This was a very sad accident and will stay with the people involved for the rest of thier lives.”
by what, bristol
Friday, January 23 2009, 3:34PM
“sorry about my spelling”
by Hannah, Bristol
Friday, January 23 2009, 3:29PM
“OMG what a joke!!”
by Em, bristol
Friday, January 23 2009, 3:26PM
“I went to school with lee since i was 6, he was a lively and sweet boy who didn't deserve this. These men should feel the loss of this tragic waste of life for the rest of theirs because lee's family will.”
by Alan, WSM
Friday, January 23 2009, 3:09PM
“£7,500 for a getting a young man killed, what a joke!
Once again our courts let us down and as usual they value property above life.”
by steven, germany
Friday, January 23 2009, 3:07PM
“Who recieves this money from this tragic death,doe,s anybody know.sympathy to the family.”