Man from West Sussex Sentenced After Worker’s Death at Birmingham Site

Firm fined £450,000 after worker died at Birmingham building site
Photo - Left Company boss Simon Briggs, Right Site manager Vasyl Bychkov

A construction company involved in the demolition of buildings on a Birmingham site has been penalised £450,000 for corporate manslaughter after a worker was killed due to a roof and wall collapse.

The tragic event occurred on May 8, 2019, at Vittoria Street, Hockley, claiming the life of labourer Oleksander Rudyy, who was fatally crushed when part of the structure gave way.

While fellow workers were able to rescue another man trapped under the debris, 49-year-old Mr. Rudyy was declared dead at the location.

Following a comprehensive investigation by the West Midlands Police and the Health and Safety Executive, Stonehurst Estates Limited, the firm responsible for the demolition project, pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter.

Additionally, the company’s owner, Simon Briggs, and site manager, Vasyl Bychkov, acknowledged violations of health and safety standards.

The sentencing, which took place at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, resulted in a fine of £450,000 for the company, alongside £167,000 in legal fees.

Simon Briggs, 61, from Danehill, West Sussex, received a suspended jail sentence of 23 weeks for 18 months and is required to complete 100 hours of community service.

Vasyl Bychkov, 45, from Victoria Rise, Clapham, London, was assigned a community service order of 135 hours.

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