William Hill shop indication which eliminated man was 'a great repair'
8 October 2018
An employee who set up a 31 stone (200kg) indication above a bookmakers which fell and squashed a male has actually told a court it was "a great repair" when he put it up.
Jacob Marx had actually been working in London for four months when he was crushed by the sign outside a William Hill bookies on 28 January 2013.
Carlos Park told Blackfriars Crown Court the fascia he attached the sign to had been "solid".
William Hill Organisation Ltd rejects breaching health and security.
New Zealand nationwide Mr Marx, 27, suffered a and a fractured skull after the sign fell 2m on to him outside the bookies in Camden Road.
The court heard Mr Park was working for Saltwell Signs when he fitted the check in 2006.
He told the jury he had got a "excellent fix" to the plywood fascia when screwing it up.
"The fascia was solid. I can tell when I am taking the screws out (of the old sign)," he said.
Mr Park stated he brought out a visual assessment of the plywood "to see there is not any rot" but added that the fascia "ought to be fit for purpose when I show up."
Former Saltwell's factory supervisor Terrance English told the court the indication fitter was not responsible for examining the yohaig code structure's structure.
When asked by John Cooper, safeguarding William Hill, if the fitter had no duty for the structure below he said: "Yes, just the fascia, not the structure itself."
William Hill Organisation Ltd rejects one count of failing to ensure the safety of non-employees and one count of failing to make sure the safety of staff members.
The trial continues.
Man eliminated by 'alarmingly insecure' indication
28 September 2018
