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Geologist's death trial to begin Geologist's death trial to begin
(about 6 hours later)
The trial is due to start of a company director accused of unlawful killing through gross negligence, after a geologist working for him died. The first company in the UK to be charged under the 2007 Corporate Manslaughter Act is to go on trial.
Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings is accused over the death of a geologist who was an employee when he died.
Alex Wright, of Cheltenham, was killed in September 2008 at Brimscombe, when a trench gave way as he was collecting soil samples.Alex Wright, of Cheltenham, was killed in September 2008 at Brimscombe, when a trench gave way as he was collecting soil samples.
Peter Eaton, 60, of Stroud, is the first person to be charged under tough new corporate manslaughter laws. Company director Peter Eaton, 60, of Stroud, also faces a charge of gross negligence manslaughter.
Mr Eaton's firm Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings also faces charges. Mr Eaton could be jailed for life if convicted.
The company is charged with unlawful killing as well as health and safety breaches over the same incident. The maximum sentence for his firm, which also faces charges for health and safety breaches, is an unlimited fine.
The unlawful killing charge is the first prosecution under the 2007 Corporate Manslaughter Act, which was introduced to make corporate manslaughter cases easier to bring. The new act was introduced to make corporate manslaughter cases easier to bring.
The trial is listed to open in Bristol Crown Court later.The trial is listed to open in Bristol Crown Court later.