William Hill shop sign which eliminated male was 'an excellent repair'

8 October 2018

An employee who set up a 31 stone (200kg) indication above a bookmakers which fell and crushed a man has told a court it was "an excellent fix" when he put it up.

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

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

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 bookmakers 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 repair" to the plywood fascia when screwing it up.

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

Mr Park stated he performed a visual evaluation of the plywood "to see there is not any rot" but included that the fascia "should be suitabled for function when I turn up."

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

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

William Hill Organisation Ltd denies one count of failing to guarantee the security of non-employees and one count of failing to make sure the security of staff members.

The trial continues.

Man killed by 'precariously insecure' sign

28 September 2018