David Sapiecha prosecutes farmer in Gross Negligence Manslaughter case

David Sapiecha prosecuted at trial, Neil Carpenter, a farmer found guilty of Gross Negligence Manslaughter when a volunteer-worker became entangled in an inadequately-guarded power-take-off shaft to a milling machine, and died. The defendant claimed he was not present at the time and that the victim had operated the machine without permission. The prosecution were able to demonstrate that it was the defendant who must have been operating the machine assisted by the deceased. Mr Justice Dingemans sentenced the defendant to 4½ years imprisonment.