William Hill shop sign which killed male was 'an excellent repair'

8 October 2018

A worker who set up a 31 stone (200kg) sign above a bookies which fell and crushed a male has told a court it was "a great repair" when he put it up.

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

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

William Hill Organisation Ltd denies breaching health and security.

New Zealand national Mr Marx, 27, suffered a broken neck and a fractured skull after the sign 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 indication in 2006.

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

"The fascia was solid. I can tell when I am taking the screws out (of the yohaig code old indication)," he stated.

Mr Park said he carried out a visual examination of the plywood "to see there is not any rot" but included that the fascia "should be suitabled for purpose when I turn up."

Former Saltwell's factory supervisor Terrance English informed the court the sign fitter was not accountable for checking the yohaig code building's structure.

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

William Hill Organisation Ltd denies one count of failing to guarantee the safety of non-employees and one count of failing to make sure the security of staff members.

The trial continues.

Man eliminated by 'precariously insecure' sign

28 September 2018