No 'imminent catastrophe' signs before gas blast

Jurors at a trial over a fatal gas explosion in a block of flats in Jersey have been told "nothing about the network suggested an imminent catastrophe".

Ten people died as a result of the explosion near Haut du Mont flats in the early hours of 10 December 2022.

Gas workers Neil Armstrong, John Wright and Lee Ward all deny 10 counts of gross negligence manslaughter, while Island Energy has pleaded not guilty to health and safety breaches.

In their closing remarks at Jersey Royal Court, defence lawyers for Armstrong, Wright and Ward asked the jury to find their clients not guilty, acknowledging it had been a "sad and tragic" case.

The court previously heard the workers for Island Energy, previously known as Jersey Gas, were excavating gas pipes on the road below the Haut du Mont flats that serviced the area of La Collette, including the flats, on 9 December - the day before the explosion.

The court heard Armstrong was rushed off his feet at work the day before the explosion, trying to deal with a normal workload and HR issues on behalf of management.

Armstrong's defence lawyer, Advocate Rui Tremoceiro, said a witness working for Andium Homes - which owned the flats - said multiple people had master keys for its gas cupboards.

Tremoceiro argued it cast enough doubt on whether Armstrong removed plugs on valves at Haut du Mont and not someone else.

Tremoceiro said it was a "desperately sad and tragic case" and reminded jurors of Armstrong's long work history, career progression and lack of criminal convictions.

He told jurors to consider a conscientious man who worked after hours and was trusted with responsibility.

Advocate Mark Boothman told jurors Wright accepted he was negligent in not carrying out pressure tests while work was carried out.

Boothman said there was "no evidence" that "gas sufficient to cause a fatal explosion was escaping from the system".

"Nothing about the network suggested an imminent catastrophe," Boothman added.

He said there was no evidence that Wright observed defective work being done inside meter cupboards, adding he was not in management and was not making decisions.

"Mr Wright had been given orders and was following it," Boothman told the court.

Advocate Olaf Blakeley said Ward played a "very, very small part" in the events.

"The defence case is he shouldn't even be here," Blakely said. "He shouldn't be standing trial for this offence."

He pointed to previous evidence heard in the trial, which included one witness stating Ward practiced "very high standards" in his work.

"Mr ward was not negligent on the 9 December 2022," Ward said.

The residents who died included:

• Peter Bowler, 72
• Billy Marsden, 62
• Derek Ellis, 61
• Sylvia Ellis, 73
• Ken Ralph, 72
• Jane Ralph, 71
• Romeu De Almeida, 67
• Louise De Almeida, 64
• Raymond Brown, 71
• Kathy McGinness, 73, who lived in a building adjacent to Haut du Mont, was taken to hospital and died on 25 December 2022

The case continues.

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