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Builders were unlawfully killed

Tuesday 23 July 1996 18:02 EDT
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Four builders who were crushed to death under tons of rubble when an office block collapsed were unlawfully killed, an inquest ruled yesterday. An inquest at Esher, Surrey, heard how a string of major faults had been found in the 27-year-old offices by builders as they carried out a facelift.

A file will now be sent to the Crown Prosecution Service, with a view to possible prosecution. Site agent Ron Martin, 58, carpenter Peter Berwick, 36, and labourers Mark Malloy, 24, and 21-year-old Richard Barnes, were all killed on 1 August last year. Angry relatives cheered the decision of the jury and said they would fight on for tougher safety laws. Supt David Don, of Staines police, said: "It is our intention to bring to justice those responsible and we will continue as much as we can to do that."

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