BAA Press Release

THE  BIRMINGHAM  ANGLERS  ASSOCIATION  LIMITED

 

PRESS RELEASE

The BAA can confirm that at Worcester Magistrates Court on Wednesday 28 April 2021 the Association pleaded guilty to a charge brought against the Association by Wychavon District Council, of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974  

The charge arises following an incident which occurred during a fisheries maintenance working party which took place in October 2019 along the river Avon at Pensham.

A member of the work party, Maurice Taylor, was fatally injured by a falling tree branch which came loose during routine clearance work.

Mr Taylor was treated at the scene by ambulance staff and was airlifted to hospital in Coventry but sadly he never regained consciousness.

Worcester Regulatory Services conducted a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident and published their report.

As a result of that report, Wychavon District Council brought the case against the Association under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

In Court on Wednesday 28 April, the District Judge accepted the Association's guilty plea and imposed a fine of £66,000 upon the Association. He also ordered that BAA should be held liable for the County Council's legal costs of £17,500 in bringing forward the prosecution.

Following the judgement, BAA Secretary John Williams commented: "the case had been a very salutary lesson to the Association and showed that there can be no compromise when it comes to matters of health and safety".

Maurice Taylor was a valued member of the Executive Committee of the BAA and an active volunteer on Fisheries work parties, going out every week to help maintain and improve BAA fisheries for all the members. He is very sadly missed and the sincerest condolences on behalf of the whole of the Association, are extended to his widow Pat and all her family.

 

30 April 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

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