Site manager jailed after worker dies.

A site manager has been jailed for four years after a grounds worker died when a trench wall collapsed on top of him.

The grounds worker, Shane Wilkinson, 33, died at a building site in Collyweston, Northamptonshire.

The site manager, Andrew Winterton, 52, of High Street, Collyweston, was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter at Northampton Crown Court.

A trench digger driver, Dean Wortley, 48, of Market Deeping, was also sentenced to 12 months for health and safety breaches.

The court heard that Mr Wilkinson was standing next to a deep trench which had been incorrectly excavated by Dean Wortley, who traded as Clearview Demolition.

When the unsecured trench wall collapsed, the father-of-five was completely buried in the rubble and died at the site.

In evidence, the court heard the sides of the trench had not been properly or adequately secured and Dean Wortley and that Conquest Homes director, Andrew Winterton, ignored basic safety measures.

Northamptonshire Police said it was the first case of corporate manslaughter successfully tried in the county after a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive.

Det Supt Stephen Woliter said the culture of the building site was "chaotic and also culpable because they knew what the rules were and chose to ignore them.”

He added Mr Wilkinson, who was from Crowland, Lincolnshire, had worked at the site for only two days to help buy shoes for his children before they started school.

Dean Wortley was found guilty of a failure as a self-employed person to discharge his duty to ensure the health and safety of persons not in his employment.

He was also found guilty of failing to take all practicable steps to prevent danger and told to pay £20,000 in costs.

Winterton and Conquest Homes were told to pay £90,500 in fines and costs.