UK & World News
- 17 April 2012, 18:14
Gas Fitter Jailed Over Woman's Boiler Death
A gas fitter cried silently in the dock as he was sentenced to three years in jail for the manslaughter of a millionaire publisher's daughter.
Andrew Hartley, 37, botched the installation of a boiler, which caused 24-year-old Zoe Anderson to die from carbon monoxide poisoning.
The neuroscience graduate was found collapsed on the shower room floor of her father's home in Sion Hill - one of Bath's most exclusive addresses - on December 28, 2010.
She was the daughter of Chris Anderson, founder of Future Publishing, which is based in Bath and publishes a range of specialist magazines such as Total Film and Classic Rock.
During last month's trial the court heard Miss Anderson died within 30 minutes of being exposed to leaked fumes after Hartley had failed to secure the flue pipes with screws two weeks earlier.
A jury found Hartley guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence by a majority verdict of 10 to 2.
After an unblemished 20-year career in the gas and plumbing industry he admitted he had contravened gas safety regulations on this occasion, but denied he was "grossly negligent".
Mr Justice Ford QC pointed to Hartley's record as "long, good and wholly respectable" and added that it was "not uncommon" for such crimes to be committed by people of good character.
Bristol Crown Court heard Hartley has been "overwhelmed" with guilt and has been having counselling for depression.
The husband and father-of-two was described by the judge as having "no self-pity" in his approach to the tragedy and of being "acutely aware" of the suffering he had inflicted on the Anderson family, as well as his own.
Hartley will serve half of his three-year prison term, which the judge added was "no measure of Zoe's life".
After handing down his sentence, the judge offered some words of compassion for Hartley, saying: "When released I hope paying the price will be therapeutic and I hope you will feel ready to rejoin your family and get on with your life."
what do you think?
Name witheld
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andrew
Sad case, feel for both parties on this occasion one family has to cope with a tragic loss and the accused has to live the guilt for the rest of his life. The annoying thing about manslaughter is if you run a person over in a car and kill them a sentence is rarely passed.
Julie Crumpton
Negligent, yes without a doubt! Dont know if any one else agrees, intentional...no very tragic, but get the feeling this guy will suffer a long time, dont misunderstand me, obviously the poor girls family too......
stewgwyn
I have every sympathy with the girl's family, God knows, what could be worse. But this guy is truly remorseful, unlike many of today's yobs who cause death for kicks and stand smirking in the dock! He made a very tragic mistake while doing his job (an alien concept to the muggers, joyriders & drug dealers) and will pay for the rest of his life. I have often been called cynical, in spite of my compassionate nature, but I can't help wondering what the outcome would have been if not for the millionaire status of the bereaved family?
Stephen Richards
What about similar deaths in overseas holiday resorts and villas, as they are in the EU then the same law should apply throughout. There are too few of these laws in other EU countries, so watch out when abroad!
Justin Williams
I think he should of got longer. Making sure the boiler and flume is safe is part of his job. I bet he charged over the odds for the shoddy job he did. You trust these guys with your life, lets hope it sends a message out to all the other cowboy fitters.
stewgwyn
What evidence do you have that he is a cowboy fitter? Are you and I not also cowboys by your logic because we have made bad mistakes? Or have you never made any? If you read the article, the judge considered his record as long, good & wholly respectable, not the mark of a cowboy, but a tragic mistake.
Matthew Stoner
Justin, purveyor of "perfection".....I think you'll find it's called a "Flue"..if you read the story correctly...a "Flume" is what you go down at a water park......but hey everyone else but you make mistakes right?
andrew
I wonder what you do for a living justin ? would you care to tell us ?
Justin Williams
The pharmaceutical industry. We are all aware that mistakes costs lives, and follow strict Food and drug agency guidelines, standard operating procedures etc. Im sure this gas fitter did not follow his procedures.
andrew
So no cowboys in your perfect faultless job. Just guinea pigs !!!!!!!!! TUT TUT If I were you I would think before you open your mouth.
Adrian Wagstaff
Future Publishing??? Wow! I've read loads of his magazines! It's sad news for me, too. I never even knew he had a daughter. I think this, gas fitting is not an easy job. It's very dangerous, very skilled and gas is a difficult substance to work with for anyone. The fact that he cried when he was sentenced is not very surprising at all. I feel sad for them all, really. I don't think he meant to actually kill anyone. There is a lot to be said for carbon monoxide detectors. I find it difficult to believe random jurors selected from the general public could easily tell if a gas fitter, after 20 years of excellent service has made a grossly negligent mistake, even if it was explained to them in detail. Manufacturers change the shape, size and fitting requirements of items very often.
georgekenney
What about all those people in India nobody from Union Carbide got 3 years.
Fleur Black
4:56pm on 17/4/2012
presumably all other cases of deaths from faulty repairs can now be reevaluated? I seem to remember some multi death 'accidents' where no-one was charged?
wl_117645765392efa4
5:17pm on 17/4/2012
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