Tanker Driver Cleared
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rAA TANKER driver has been cleared of a manslaughter charge concerning a four-year-old boy who slipped and fell into 30 gallons of cresylic acid, which had been spilled.
Mr. K. Dowling, for the director of public prosecutions, speaking before the Manchester City magistrates last week, said that the driver, 37-year-old Stanley L. Bailey, had delivered 1,500 gallons of the acid to the works of Small and Parkes Ltd., of Hendham Vale, and apparently about 30 gallons were spilled on to the roadway from the tanker's discharging pipe.
A few minutes after Bailey had driven away, Philip Rennie and his six-year-old brother slipped into the acid and suffered burns. Philip died some three days later as a result of his injuries.
Mr. P. T. Russell, defending, contended that no case to justify the charge of manslaughter had been made out. He submitted that no one had used the word manslaughter, although mention had been made of negligence. Chairman of the magistrates, Mr. B. A. Renshaw, said that the prosecution evidence fell short of what was required to ensure Bailey's committal to trial.