Upminster boss cleared of unlawfully killing Lee Balkwell
Bromley was today cleared of unlawful killing by negligence. Picture: John McLellan - Credit: John McLellan
A man accused of causing the death of Lee Balkwell, who was found crushed in a cement mixer 12 years ago, was today cleared of unlawful killing.
Lee Balkwell - Credit: Archant
Simon Bromley, 45, of Baldwin’s Farm, Dennises Lane, Upminster, was found to be not guilty of unlawful killing by negligence by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court this afternoon.
Mr Balkwell was found dead in the mechanisms of the cement mixer in July 2002 and his dad, Les, 67, of Abbs Cross Lane, Upminster, has spent every year since on a crusade for justice.
The jury did however find Bromley, who was Lee’s boss, guilty of a breach of health and safety regulations and faces sentencing tomorrow.
Bromley denied both charges but did admit producing cannabis for which he will also be sentenced tomorrow.
You may also want to watch:
For the full story, see Friday’s Recorder.
Read more:
Lee Balkwell’s death: serious allegations upheld against Essex Police by IPCC
Lee Balkwell post-mortem: Results show he wasn’t ‘tortured’, say police, but family lodge complaints
Boss appears before jury accused of causing death of Upminster’s Lee Balkwell 12 years ago
Most Read
- 1 Illegal car meet in Rainham sees 49 fined for Covid breaches
- 2 Letters: Social distancing, vaccination experience and how to stop catalytic converter thefts
- 3 Infection rates are now falling in Havering - is lockdown working?
- 4 70% of Havering residents voted to leave the EU
- 5 Havering parks and gardens five feet under water as rivers burst their banks
- 6 Fines issued to Romford and Upminster restaurants flouting coronavirus restrictions
- 7 'It was surreal': Hornchurch personal trainer wins £10k with family on TV gameshow
- 8 Brentwood Tudor church damaged in illegal New Year's Eve party raises nearly £20,000 for repairs
- 9 Sonic boom heard across east London, Essex and Cambridge
- 10 Police uncover Rainham chop shop with vehicles worth up to £100,000
