The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has welcomed the decision of the Court of Appeal to increase a discounted fine of £3750, imposed on a Highland based company with a similar discounted penalty of £30000. The fine was imposed following an incident where a wheeled loader rolled from an articulate lorry killing 24 year old Christina Fraser who was travelling in a car behind.
Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said
“The fine of £3750 imposed on Munro and Sons (Highland) Ltd. following a fatal accident was unacceptable and we welcome the moves by the Crown Office to appeal this decision and the subsequent increase in the sanction placed on the company.
“The increased penalty can never compensate for the loss of the young woman killed or reflect the pain and suffering of her fiancé and parents who now have to live with the failures of this company for the rest of their days.
“The STUC believes that had a full and thorough examination of the financial affairs of the company been available to the Court, the sentencing Judge may have arrived at an entirely different decision. What is required is an independent report from forensic accountants to be presented to the Court prior to sentencing.
“It is interesting that the opinion of the Court refers to English legal authorities for the need for sanctions to send a clear message to not only corporate offenders but also to the owners. We believe that this message will not register with company owners until individual corporate decision makers are placed in the dock to answer for their failures.
“However, it would be wrong for us not to recognise the effort of the Crown Office in pursuing this appeal against an unduly lenient sentence and the decision of the Court.”
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For further information contact
Ian Tasker Assistant Secretary STUC
0141 337 8100