Barr in the dock over death fall

Civils contractor Barr is to stand trial next month after denying a breach of health and safety regulations leading to the death of one of its workers.
In February last year, Ronald Brown drowned after he fell into a concrete batching machine
and became trapped. The accident occurred on the
contractor's £11m West Highland bypass contract at Arisaig, Scotland, in February last year.
The charges against Barr follow a lengthy inquiry by the Northern Constabulary and Health & Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors.
Barr denied the charges at Fort William Sheriff Court recently and now faces a trial at the same court at the end of next month.
An HSE spokesman said Barr's decision to plead not
guilty would see it receive a hefty fine if it was subsequently found guilty.
Under the present system, contractors that put in an early guilty plea and show they have taken quick remedial action to remedy an incident receive a reduced level of fine.
Barr has refused to comment.