Fresh date for Eastbourne Pier death trial

A new date has been set this week for the trial of two men and a company who face charges in connection with the death of a construction worker on Eastbourne Pier.
By AnneMarie Field
Published 16th Apr 2020, 18:56 BST
Floral tribute and plaque at Eastbourne Pier for Stephen Penrice (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150819-200307008Floral tribute and plaque at Eastbourne Pier for Stephen Penrice (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150819-200307008
Floral tribute and plaque at Eastbourne Pier for Stephen Penrice (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150819-200307008

Stephen Penrice died after a fall when he was working on repairing Eastbourne Pier following a fire in July 2014.

Michael Hawkins from Cumbria faces charges of gross negligence manslaughter and two counts of failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

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Paul Dixon from Blackpool, Lancashire, is charged with gross negligence manslaughter and failure to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Flowers left at the pier as a tribute to the construction worker from cumbria that lost his life Stephen Penrice SUS-140821-142424001Flowers left at the pier as a tribute to the construction worker from cumbria that lost his life Stephen Penrice SUS-140821-142424001
Flowers left at the pier as a tribute to the construction worker from cumbria that lost his life Stephen Penrice SUS-140821-142424001

Mr Penrice’s employer, MPM North West Ltd, of Victoria Place, Carlisle, Cumbria, has also been charged with two counts of failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in respect of the safety of workers on the pier.

A pre-trial review hearing was held by telephone on Thursday (April 16) in the presence of Judge Christine Laing QC, who normally sits at Lewes Crown Court and it was agreed a new trial date be set for January next year.

Mr Penrice, 44, from Sandylonning, Netherton, Cumbria, was working on the pier after it had been badly damaged by a fire three weeks beforehand.