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SUCCESSFUL COURT CASE

Following a court case today, Tesco were fined £150,000 and ordered to pay costs of £13,500 for failing to ensure safe means of work at the entrance to the loading bay of the Branksome store, Poole.

The decision follows the death of Elsie Stewart, aged 77 from Branksome, who was run over by a lorry reversing into the delivery area at the Tesco store on 12 December 1998.

Following the accident, the Borough of Poole’s Consumer Protection Services conducted a full investigation in liaison with the Police and this has led to today’s prosecution. The charges were brought under Health and Safety legislation to which Tesco has pleaded guilty.

Peter Pawlowski, Head of Consumer Protection, Borough of Poole, said; "We are deeply saddened by the circumstances of this case and our thoughts are with the family affected by this terrible accident. The prosecution has served two purposes - firstly as a penalty to the company responsible and secondly as a warning to all businesses of the responsibilities they owe to the community and the tragic potential consequences of not meeting them."

Since the accident, the Borough of Poole, as the agency responsible for enforcing Health and Safety practices in the town, has been working with the full co- operation of Tesco to develop a safe system for vehicle deliveries.

To help make deliveries even safer, Tesco have submitted a planning proposal which includes a separate entrance to the delivery yard at the Branksome store. This will ensure delivery lorries will drive straight into the yard and prevent the need to reverse in public areas.

-ends-

Peter Pawlowski, Head of Consumer Protection Services, tel: (01202) 261701