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Gas workers appear in court over fatal explosion

Jonathan Morris
BBC News
BBC Montage of three men, one in blue suit and open neck shirt, another in dark jacket and another in light raincoat.BBC
John Wright, Lee Ward and Neil Armstrong face 10 charges each

Three former gas company employees have appeared in court following an investigation into a fatal explosion in a block of flats.

Ten residents died after the incident at Haut du Mont, St Helier, Jersey, on 10 December 2022.

Neil Armstrong, 56, Lee Ward, 57, and John Wright, 59, who all worked for the gas supplier Island Energy at the time, appeared at Jersey Magistrate's Court, each charged with 10 counts of gross negligence manslaughter.

In a separate case, Island Energy appeared at the court facing two separate criminal charges, one for not ensuring the health and safety of their employees and another for not ensuring the health and safety of those not in their employment.

Two men in a street, one holding an umbrella andn another in a long coat.
Graeme Millar, right, appeared for Island Energy

Mr Armstrong, Mr Ward and Mr Wright were remanded on bail to appear for indictment at the Royal Court on 28 May.

Island Energy, which was represented at the magistrate's court by director Graeme Millar, is also due to appear at the Royal Court on the same date.

Government of Jersey Two firefighters in hi vis look at a large pile of debris.Government of Jersey
Ten residents died after the incident at Haut du Mont

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