Driver acquitted of manslaughter
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A DRIVER who was said to have driven a tractive unit despite warnings that the brakes were not operating, and crushed a workmate to death, was acquitted of manslaughter and an alternative charge last week.
Maurice Brown, of East Acton, London, worked for Alpine Refrigerated Deliveries, where maintenance night was Friday and he was moving a unit into position when the accident happened.
He was accused of driving the vehicle despite the fact that warning lights and a buzzer within the cab indicated that the brakes were not working.
The dead man, Thomas Kelly, of Harrow, was standing behind the vehicle with his back towards a garage door as Mr Brown backed the vehicle into position. When Mr Kelly told him to stop Mr Brown put his foot on the brakes and nothing happened. Judge John Marmon at the Old Bailey stopped the case after the prosecution evidence had been presented by Neil Denison. He said there was no evidence of criminal intent in the case.
He acquitted Mr Brown of manslaughter and the alternative charge of failing to discharge a duty of care to a fellow worker.