A statement from the CPS on Friday, 15 December, explained that Brian Timmins, 54, was sentenced earlier that day at Wolverhampton crown court.
He was previously convicted of gross negligence manslaughter following the death of labourer David Willis at Timmins Waste Services in Wolverhampton (see letsrecycle.com story).
Timmins Waste Services Ltd was also fined £400,000 after being convicted of corporate manslaughter on 6 December. The company must also pay costs of £29,815 to the CPS and £1,874 to the HSE.
The jury could not reach a verdict on a charge of perverting the course of justice against Mr Timmins and the prosecution did not seek a retrial on this count.
‘Duty of care’
Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS special crime division, said: “Timmins and the company owed David Willis a duty of care, but there were gross breaches of safety standards at every turn.
“Timmins was in day-to-day control of the yard and therefore must have been very well aware of the systemic and wide-ranging safety breaches by the company, as were its directors.
“Operating the shredder with Mr Willis in a vulnerable position was grossly negligent, and fell far below what could be expected of a competent yard manager in his position.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Willis, and I hope this sentence brings them some sense of justice.”
Incident
The CPS explained that Mr Timmins was operating a digger on 15 September , 2018, when he lifted Mr Willis, 29, onto the top of an industrial shredder following a blockage which had jammed the machine.
The next day, the police said, Mr Timmins returned to work and helped “oblivious workers load up waste which would have included Mr Willis’ remains” before it was driven to a landfill site in Cannock.
Timmins reported the incident to police on Monday, September 17, after Mr Willis’ coat was found at work, the CPS said.
‘Tragic’
Gail Bell, HSE inspector, said: “This was a tragic incident. Mr Willis’ death could have been prevented if Timmins Waste Services had implemented a safe system of work and safely isolated the waste shredder.
“Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Mr Willis.”
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