William Hill store indication which killed man was 'a good repair'

8 October 2018

An employee who installed a 31 stone (200kg) sign above a bookmakers which fell and squashed a guy has actually told a court it was "a good fix" when he put it up.

Jacob Marx had actually been working in London for 4 months when he was squashed by the sign outside a William Hill bookies on 28 January 2013.

Carlos Park told Blackfriars Crown Court the fascia he connected the sign to had been "strong".

William Hill Organisation Ltd rejects breaching health and wellness.

New Zealand nationwide Mr Marx, 27, suffered a damaged neck and a fractured skull after the indication 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 sign in 2006.

He told the yohaig code jury he had got a "great repair" 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 indication)," he stated.

Mr Park said he carried out a visual inspection of the plywood "to see there is not any rot" but added that the fascia "needs to be suitabled for purpose when I turn up."

Former Saltwell's factory manager Terrance English told the court the indication fitter was not accountable for checking the structure's structure.

When asked by John Cooper, protecting William Hill, if the fitter had no responsibility for the structure below he said: "Yes, simply the fascia, not the structure itself."

William Hill Organisation Ltd denies one count of failing to ensure the safety of non-employees and one count of stopping working to ensure the safety of staff members.

The trial continues.

Man killed by 'dangerously insecure' indication

28 September 2018