Arrest warrant is issued for NNM Scaffolding director who fled country in 2006 after Milton Keynes accident

An arrest warrant has been issue without bail, for the director of a company who fled the country following a scaffolding collapse in Milton Keynes, which left one man dead.

On Friday, Principle contractor McAleer and Rushe Ltd of Cookstown, Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act, after the Health and Safety Executive brought charges against three companies.

McAleer & Rushe, Lee Smith Carpentry, NNM Scaffolding and its director John David King all faced prosecution over alleged breaches of health and safety law.

The incident occurred in April 2006, when an independent tied perimeter scaffold collapsed on the Jurys Inn hotel in Midsummer Boulevard in Milton Keynes.

John Robinson, a worker on site, was killed as a result of injuries sustained in the collapse, while two others, Mark Robinson and Ivan Peukov, suffered multiple injuries.

McAleer and Rushe Ltd’s case has been adjourned for committal to Crown Court at a date yet to be confirmed.

Lee Smith Carpentry Ltd did not enter a plea. It’s case has been adjourned, along with that of NNM Scaffolding Ltd, until 21 April for committal for trial in Crown Court.

The director of NNM Scaffolding, John King did not attend court. Charges against him have been placed indefinitely. Magistrates have issued an arrest warrant without bail should King return to the UK.