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First corporate manslaughter case to be adjourned

The first corporate manslaughter and corporate homicide case to be held in Britain has been adjourned due to the defendant's ill health.

Peter Eaton, managing director of Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings, was charged with manslaughter and gross negligence and a health and safety offence in his own personal capacity. But the case has been adjourned and is unlikely to resume until October 2010 because Mr Eaton is in urgent need of medical treatment.

Mr Justice Field, who heard submissions, directed that the trial should be suspended until October because it would be ‘unfair and oppressive’ for the defendant to participate in the trial while receiving treatment and it would not leave him or his team enough time to prepare for the trial adequately.
01/03/2010