Builders convicted of manslaughter of 15-year-old worker

Two builders have been convicted of manslaughter and breaching health and safety laws following the death of a 15-year-old labourer.

Builder Colin Holtom and contractor Darren Fowler were convicted at the Old Bailey of offences after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Adam Gosling in 2007.

Fowler, 47, from Upminster had previously pleaded guilty to working while disqualified from being a company manager.

Police were called in April 2007, after a wall collapsed at a private address in Hadley Wood. Gosling, who had been working as a casual labourer, was trapped underneath the wall, which was in the process of being demolished. He was confirmed dead at the scene.

Detective inspector Pete Basnett, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "This has been a protracted and complex investigation lasting more than two years and we're pleased with today's convictions which should serve as a clear warning that health and safety laws are there for a reason and ignoring them can have tragic consequences.”

He added: “Holtom left two inexperienced young workers working at a wall already deemed to be dangerous without supervising them or giving proper instructions on how the work was to be carried out. Even when Adam approached him halfway through the demolition to seek advice as the wall was beginning to move, Holtom still took no action and didn't even go to inspect the danger area.”