William Hill shop sign which killed male was 'a good repair'

8 October 2018

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

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

Carlos Park informed Blackfriars Crown Court the fascia he attached the sign to had been "solid".

William Hill Organisation Ltd denies breaching health and security.

New Zealand national Mr Marx, 27, suffered a damaged neck and a fractured skull after the indication fell 2m on to him outside the bookmakers in Camden Road.

The court heard Mr Park was working for Saltwell Signs when he fitted the yohaig code check in 2006.

He told the jury he had actually got a "excellent fix" to the plywood fascia when screwing it up.

"The fascia was strong. I can tell when I am taking the yohaig code screws out (of the old indication)," he stated.

Mr Park said he performed a visual inspection of the plywood "to see there is not any rot" however added that the fascia "needs to be fit for function when I turn up."

Former Saltwell's factory supervisor Terrance English informed the court the indication fitter was not responsible for inspecting the building's structure.

When asked by John Cooper, safeguarding William Hill, if the fitter had no duty for the structure below he stated: "Yes, just the fascia, not the structure itself."

William Hill Organisation Ltd denies one count of failing to guarantee the safety of non-employees and one count of failing to ensure the safety of employees.

the yohaig code trial continues.

Man killed by 'alarmingly insecure' sign

28 September 2018