Manslaughter charges dropped (From Barry And District News)

Manslaughter charges dropped

MANSLAUGHTER charges against three men have been dropped after two hotel guests - including community nurse Linda Johnson from Barry - died from Legionnaires' disease.

Mrs Johnson, aged 52, died after visiting the Copthorne Hotel in Culverhouse Cross for a Christmas meal in December 1999.

Philip Roberts, aged 59, from Newport, also died following a visit to the hotel.

The three men charged worked for a firm that had installed a buffet unit which was found to be spreading the disease.

Cardiff Crown Court had heard that the outbreak was caused by three filters in the 32,500 buffet unit not being fitted. The filters were still in a box.

Kevin Kempen, aged 49, managing director of Lancashire-based Link Unit (Engineers) Ltd, Mark Perry, aged 39, contracts and site manager, and Frederick Jones, aged 56, a self-employed contractor, had denied the manslaughter charges.

Detective Chief Inspector David Bishop of South Wales Police said: "Following a joint investigation between South Wales Police, the Health and Safety

Executive and Vale of Glamorgan Council into the deaths of Linda Johnson and

Philip Roberts in December 1999 and February 2000, a trial has been ongoing at Cardiff Crown Court.

"In light of evidence presented during the trial it became necessary for the

prosecution team to review the case.

"After careful consideration by the Crown Prosecution Service and South Wales Police, it was decided that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction for manslaughter.

"Our thoughts are with the families of the victims at this time."

Kempen, from Southport, has admitted health and safety charges, and will be sentenced at a later date.

Health and safety charges were dropped against Perry and Jones.

Both the Copthorne Hotel and Christopher Purslow, of Somerset, an independent health and safety consultant for the hotel, admitted health and safety charges.