Philip Stott prosecuted Cotswold Rainwater Services Ltd for an offence of corporate manslaughter at Oxford Crown Court on Friday 9 October 2026. The company had failed to prevent one of its workers, Andrew Claridge, 34, from coming into contact with a 11,000-volt overhead power line whilst clearing guttering at an address near to his employer’s offices in November 2024.
The company had previously had an employee suffer an electric shock at the same location from the same power line but took no steps to warn or protect Mr Claridge.
The company pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced by HHJ Pringle KC to a fine of £450,000 plus prosecution costs. The Court also ordered that the company pay to take steps to publicise its actions on its website and in relevant media outlets.
Philip Stott was instructed by the Special Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service.
The case has been reported in press:
Philip Stott