William Hill store sign which eliminated male was 'a great fix'

8 October 2018

An employee who set up a 31 stone (200kg) sign above a bookmakers which fell and crushed a male has informed a court it was "an excellent repair" when he put it up.

Jacob Marx had been operating in London for four months when he was crushed by the indication outside a William Hill bookies on 28 January 2013.

Carlos Park informed Blackfriars Crown Court the fascia he connected the indication to had actually been "solid".

William Hill Organisation Ltd rejects breaching health and wellness.

New Zealand national Mr Marx, 27, suffered a damaged neck and a fractured skull after the indication fell 2m on to him outside the bookies in Camden Road.

The court heard Mr Park was working for Saltwell Signs when he fitted the check in 2006.

He informed the jury he had got a "excellent fix" to the plywood fascia when screwing it up.

"The fascia was strong. I can tell when I am taking the screws out (of the old indication)," he said.

Mr Park said he brought out a visual inspection of the plywood "to see there is not any rot" but added that the fascia "should be fit for function when I turn up."

Former Saltwell's factory manager Terrance English informed the court the sign fitter was not accountable for examining the structure's structure.

When asked by John Cooper, defending William Hill, if the fitter had no obligation for the structure listed below he stated: "Yes, simply the fascia, not the structure itself."

William Hill Organisation Ltd denies one count of stopping working to guarantee the safety of non-employees and one count of failing to guarantee the security of workers.

The trial continues.

Man killed by 'dangerously insecure' indication

28 September 2018