Company director charged with manslaughter

A company director has been charged with the manslaughter of a Chinese man who died after a fall on a Norfolk building site.

The man, who cannot be named, fell at bakery café The Panary in Trowse on January 31 and later died in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital of his injuries.

Alcon Construction director Sharaz Butt was charged following a two-month investigation by police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

He appeared at the Norwich Magistrate’s Court on Saturday where he was given conditional bail to appear again on 14 May.

Staff at the Norwich-based construction company refused to comment.

He was also charged with four other offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Recent provisional HSE figures showed 69 construction workers died in workplace accidents in 2007/08.

UCATT general secretary Alan Ritchie said: “Although the death toll for construction has dropped slightly, these figures remain appalling, practically six building workers are killed every month.”