The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will have to explain in London's High Court why they failed to charge the employers of a young worker, 17 year old Daniel Dennis, with manslaughter when an inquest jury in 2005 found that Daniel had been unlawfully killed.
Daniel, fell through a skylight on 8 April 2003, within the first week of his employment with North Eastern Roofing, of Bridgend.
In March this year, the CPS said they would not be pressing charges against Daniel's employer, which prompted Young Daniel's parents to seek an explanation, by means of a judicial review of the CPS' decision.
Representing Mr. & Mrs. Dennis, Mr. Mick Antoniw, said:
"This case will review the way in which the CPS investigated the accident and the way in which they took their decision not to bring manslaughter charges.
"If the judge finds the CPS did not carry out its duties properly I will ask them to reconsider their decision.
"Daniel had no safety training, had not been given training to work at heights, was not wearing a harness and the skylight area had not been fenced off."
Supporting Daniel's parents, Mr. Allan Garley, Regional Secretary of the GMB Union, said:
"Too many workers are killed because of inadequate safety by negligent employers. It is time for the CPS to justify their failure to bring charges in cases such as this.
"The union is not after vengeance, but employers have to be held to account for their actions."
Daniel's Father, Mr. Peter Dennis said:
"Because of the support we have had from the GMB we will at last be able to find out why no manslaughter charges were brought.
"We will then press the CPS to re-open the case and review their original decision."
Daniel's fall and events leading to his death, plus lots of information and advice on young workers, can be read on the Hazards Young Workers Webpage by clicking the following:
Hazards Young Workers Webpage - Daniel Dennis
Article by Alexandra Johnston
