**Worker Plunges to Death After Being Forced to Use Inadequate Equipment in Anglesey Tragedy**
A 61-year-old contractor, Leslie Bennion, lost his life in a tragic accident deemed “wholly avoidable” after being compelled to climb onto a fragile rooftop because his employer would not wait for safer equipment to arrive. The incident, which took place at the former Welsh Country Foods site in Gaerwen, Anglesey in January 2018, has once again raised disturbing questions about health and safety standards within the construction industry.
The devastating details of the incident emerged this week during a hearing at Mold Crown Court. Bennion, a seasoned worker who had served as a mentor to his colleagues, fell more than 20 feet through the brittle roofing while trying to complete a job with a cherry picker that was too short for the task. The court heard the 45ft raised platform provided by his boss fell 15ft short of what was required, ultimately forcing Bennion and a co-worker to access the roof on foot.
Dominic Lakeman-Pettit, 34, director of Camclad Contractors Ltd, had opted for the shorter cherry picker because the correct 60-foot model would not be available until later that week. In the words of Judge Timothy Petts, it was a “fateful decision”, made with what he described as “remarkable” disregard for health and safety.
A risk assessment had been prepared for the site which referred to the installation of safety nets beneath the roof. However, the court was told there was “never any intention to install nets,” making the document effectively worthless. Prosecutor Craig Morris asserted that the risk assessment amounted to “little more than a meaningless piece of paper,” pointing to a widespread failure in basic safety planning and execution.
As the job progressed, Bennion and his colleague, who used a prosthetic leg, reached the section of the roof beyond the cherry picker’s reach. Stepping out from the relative safety of the basket, they attempted to finish the work manually. The court was told that Bennion, believing he was standing on a steel joist, lost his footing and plunged over 20ft to the ground below while fitting the last panel.
The investigation also found that no-one at Camclad had measured the dimensions of the building before selecting the access equipment. Neither tape measures, laser devices nor detailed plans were used—an omission Judge Petts said fell “far below” acceptable industry standards and contributed directly to the chain of events that led to Bennion’s death.
Despite the gravity of the failings, Camclad and Lakeman-Pettit both pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations. The company, based in Bedfordshire and currently boasting a turnover of nearly £6.5 million, was fined a total of £225,000. Lakeman-Pettit himself received a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service. The judge made it clear that the penalties were set in line with legal guidelines and bore no relation to the “value of Mr Bennion’s life,” expressing his condolences to the victim’s family.
In the aftermath, Cameron Crowe KC, representing both Lakeman-Pettit and Camclad, told the court the director had “genuinely believed” the shorter cherry picker would suffice, partly relying on the two workers to contact him if it didn’t meet the requirements. Bennion himself had previously supervised Lakeman-Pettit in the family business, making the tragedy a personal as well as a professional loss.
Lakeman-Pettit, who was just 26 at the time, was said to be struggling with tangible and sincere remorse, suffering from grief he had not yet properly processed. Despite numerous glowing references from clients such as Cambridge United Football Club, the judge maintained that the approach taken by Lakeman-Pettit was “inadequate” and did not absolve either the company or its director of responsibility.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by cutting corners and failing to adhere to established safety protocols. Although Camclad Contractors now employs a larger workforce and touts a solid safety record, the death of Leslie Bennion stands as a sobering testament to the catastrophic consequences that can arise when profit and expedience are prioritised above human life.
For the wider industry and those tasked with enforcing health and safety regulations, this case is a call to vigilance—a tragic lesson of what can happen when standards are not merely a matter of paperwork, but a matter of life and death.