Tragedy strikes at a lavish £2.5m estate where a groundsman lost his life in a quadbike accident. The case unfolding in court highlights a critical question: did the estate owners, Nicholas and Anthea Prest, fail in their duties to ensure proper training and safety for their workers?
Paul Marsden, aged 47, met with a tragic end as he worked on spraying weed killer in the sprawling 42-acre grounds of the Prest’s Monmouthshire mansion. Prosecutors argue that the couple did not equip Marsden with necessary training or protective gear. The scene of the incident was described as difficult terrain, exacerbated by a filled herbicide tank making the vehicle precarious to operate.
Despite Marsden working regularly for the couple since 2013, Mr and Mrs Prest deny any legal liability, asserting that, as a self-employed contractor, Marsden was working at his own risk while performing private duties on their land.
Prosecutors, however, suggest the land was being used for business purposes, with evidence pointing to rented fields and government agricultural funding received by the Prests. Following the tragic incident, the Health and Safety Executive took over the investigation, highlighting notable safety breaches.
In court, it was revealed that after Marsden’s death, other staff received training, raising questions about the measures initially in place for safety. As the trial continues, the Prests find themselves facing serious allegations under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Stay tuned as this tense legal battle unfolds, and justice seeks to prevail in determining responsibility for this heartbreaking incident. 🎗️