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Meg Burgess wall death: Builder George Collier guilty of manslaughter Meg Burgess wall death: Builder George Collier guilty of manslaughter
(35 minutes later)
A builder has been found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence after a three-year-old girl died when she was crushed by a collapsing wall.A builder has been found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence after a three-year-old girl died when she was crushed by a collapsing wall.
Meg Burgess was walking home with her mother in Meliden, Denbighshire, in July 2008, when she died.Meg Burgess was walking home with her mother in Meliden, Denbighshire, in July 2008, when she died.
George Collier, 49, of Kinmel Bay, Conwy, denied the charge during a three-week trial at Mold Crown Court.George Collier, 49, of Kinmel Bay, Conwy, denied the charge during a three-week trial at Mold Crown Court.
Judge Merfyn Hughes adjourned sentence until later and gave bail to Collier, but told him he is facing jail.Judge Merfyn Hughes adjourned sentence until later and gave bail to Collier, but told him he is facing jail.
"You must understand that a custodial sentence is inevitable," said the judge."You must understand that a custodial sentence is inevitable," said the judge.
During the trial the jury heard that the wall failed after pressure from infill.During the trial the jury heard that the wall failed after pressure from infill.
In his closing speech, Bryan Cox QC, prosecuting, said the defendant demonstrated a "couldn't care less" attitude to health and safety. The defendant's company Parcol, said to be penniless, will also be sentenced after it admitted health and safety charges.
The prosecution claimed that Mr Collier, who had 30 years' experience, should have realised it was a retaining wall. The prosecution said that Meg's death was caused by the defendant's gross negligence.
Mr Cox said it needed to be secured to the foundations for added strength. Bricklayers
Ronald Walker QC, defending, had told the jury it was a "natural human tendency" to want revenge. She was making her way home from the shops at Ffordd Penrhwylfa, Meliden, with mum, Lindsay and baby brother Wilson, to buy materials for home baking.
But Mr Walker said the case had to be judged according to the evidence. As they walked along the pavement next to a cottage which was being renovated, a concrete block garden wall collapsed on to Meg.
Collier denied responsibility and said the wall was a garden wall, not a retaining wall, built by two bricklayers.
The prosecution claimed that Collier, who had 30 years' experience, should have realised it was a retaining wall.