A company boss jailed for causing the death of a “loyal” worker who fell into an industrial shredder. David Willis was killed as he tried to clear a blockage in the powerful machine, designed for wood and commercial waste, while it was still running.
Brian Timmins, yard manager at Timmins Waste Services (TWS) in Mander Street, Wolverhampton, was operating the shredder when it stopped abruptly. He used a JCB grapple arm to lift 29-year-old Mr Willis, who was “always willing to help”, on to the machine, so he could see what the problem was.
The machine should have been switched off while work was being carried out but it was still operational and ejecting waste. When Mr Willis disappeared, Timmins was seen on CCTV looking around the yard and inside the shredder’s ‘hopper’, which guides the waste towards the machine’s blades, before calling the labourer’s phone.
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Footage then captured him looking out the yard gates and running around the site, before returning to the digger and continuing to operate the shredder, causing waste to cover Mr Willis’ remains. The following day, Timmins returned to work and helped oblivious workers load up 80 tonnes of waste which would have included Mr Willis’ remains before it was driven to a landfill site in Cannock.
Police were alerted when Mr Willis’ mother reported him missing on the evening of September 15, 2018, when he failed to return home from work. It was only when his coat was discovered near the shredder two days later that CCTV from the previous Saturday was reviewed and it emerged he had fallen into the shredder.
Following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Timmins was found guilty of manslaughter. TWS was found guilty of corporate manslaughter. Timmins and TWS previously admitted health and safety charges. During a hearing at the court on Friday, December 15, Timmins, 54, of Fair Lawn, Albrighton, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years. Timmins was told he would two-thirds of his sentence in custody and the remainder on licence. TMS was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay costs totalling £31,690.33.
Det Insp Jim Colclough, who lead the investigation for West Midlands Police, previously said: “We found major, systemic failings across TWS which meant workers were put at risk. Risk assessments were not done, and safe methods of working were simply not put in place. Timmins’ failure to lock off the shredder, and his decision to put Mr Willis in a position of danger, directly caused this tragedy. We spent many weeks searching the site at Cannock, but only found part of a tabard which may have belonged to David. The fact that we could not recover David has added to the anguish caused to his family, and denied them the chance to say goodbye to him with dignity.”
Mr Willis’ family said his death was “as painful for us now as it was five years ago”, adding: “David has missed out on so many treasured family moments, including the birth of his niece and the growing up of his nephew, who still treats David as his superhero in the sky.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
