Gas explosion accused 'acted with gross disregard'
Family HandoutGas workers on trial over a fatal gas explosion in a block of flats in Jersey "acted with gross disregard", prosecutors have said at the Royal Court while wrapping up their case.
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 today, lawyers for the prosecution said the three men had been "careless" and had "acted with a gross disregard for clear risk of death".
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
Prosecutors also said the gas company had had "no way of knowing corners were being cut" and that this had been "because it was unwilling to spend money".
Lawyers for each of the three men and Island Energy are now expected to begin their summings up.
The trial continues.
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