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.
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.
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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
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