Company director, 64, on trial for corporate manslaughter over huge mill explosion that killed four 

A company director is due to stand trial today accused of gross negligence manslaughter following the deaths of four people in a huge mill explosion.

The jury has been sworn in to hear the charges against company director George Boden as well as two mill managers at Bosley Mill in Cheshire.

The blast caused the four-storey building to collapse, with firefighters from across the county called to the scene on July 17, 2015.

The explosion happened after a fire broke out at the mill on Tunstall Road shortly after 9am.

Such was the size of the blast that fire crews were still pumping water into large containers of wood flour to reduce temperatures and keep fires under control one week after the 1,000C inferno ripped after the building. 

George Boden, 64, the company director of Bosley Mill in Bosley, Cheshire, is due to stand trial on four counts of gross negligence manslaughter after an explosion at the mill in 2015 killed four people

The scene at Wood Flour Mills in Bosley, near Macclesfield, after the explosion on 17 July 2015

The scene at Wood Flour Mills in Bosley, near Macclesfield, after the explosion on 17 July 2015

Such was the size of the blast that fire crews were still pumping water into large containers of wood flour to reduce temperatures and keep fires under control one week. Pictured: The mill following the explosions

Such was the size of the blast that fire crews were still pumping water into large containers of wood flour to reduce temperatures and keep fires under control one week. Pictured: The mill following the explosions

Mill manager Phillip Smith, 58, from Macclesfield

Mill manager Peter Shingler, 56, from Bosley

Two mill managers, Philip Smith, 58, of Macclesfield (left), and 56-year-old Peter Shingler, of Bosley (right), have been charged with offences under the Health and Safety At Work Act

Williams Barks, 51, from Cheddleton; Derek Moore, 62, from Goldenhill; Dorothy Bailey, 62, from Bosley; and Jason Shingler, 38, from Congleton, were all killed in the disaster at the mill, which made wood chip products.

Now company director George Boden, 64, of Stockport, has been accused of four counts of gross negligence manslaughter.

Two mill managers, Philip Smith, 58, of Macclesfield, and 56-year-old Peter Shingler, of Bosley, have been charged with offences under the Health and Safety At Work Act.

All three deny the charges against them and are on bail.

A jury of seven women and five men were selected this morning, and after being sworn in, the jurors were told to return on Monday when the trial, scheduled to last at least 12 weeks, would begin.

Judge Mr Justice Sweeney said: ‘We are in theory ready to start the trial but unfortunately, in reality, we are not, for very good reason, ready to start the trial until Monday next week.

‘So, whilst counsel and I get on and with any necessary issues before the start of the trial I am going to, in a moment, release you from further attendance.’

The indictment of 11 charges was read out in court before the jury was released.

Derek Moore, 62, from Goldenhill

Dorothy Bailey, 62, from Bosley

Victims: Derek Moore, 62, from Goldenhill and Dorothy Bailey, 62, from Bosley, were killed in the explosion in 2015

Jason Shingler, 38, from Congleton

Williams Barks, 51, from Cheddleton

Victims: Jason Shingler, 38, from Congleton (left), and Williams Barks, 51, from Cheddleton, also died as a result of the explosion

The company, Wood Treatment Ltd, has also denied corporate manslaughter and failing to ensure the health, safety and well-being of its employees

The company, Wood Treatment Ltd, has also denied corporate manslaughter and failing to ensure the health, safety and well-being of its employees

The company, Wood Treatment Ltd, has also denied corporate manslaughter and failing to ensure the health, safety and well-being of its employees.

Jenny Hopkins, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said at the time: ‘Following explosions at a wood flour mill in Bosley on Friday 17 July 2015 which led to the death of four people and injuries to a number of others, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges.

‘Cheshire Police has been authorised by the CPS to charge Wood Treatment Limited with corporate manslaughter, and George Boden, one of its directors, with gross negligence manslaughter.

Search and rescue teams from all emergency services search the scene of an explosion, 2015 

The aftermath following the explosion at the Wood Treatment Limited plant in the village of Bosley, Cheshire

The aftermath following the explosion at the Wood Treatment Limited plant in the village of Bosley, Cheshire

‘The company, Mr Boden, and two others who were managers for the company, have also been charged with health and safety offences.

‘These decisions were made following a careful review of all of the evidence presented to us by Cheshire Police as a result of their lengthy and complex joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive.’

The trial at Chester Nightingale Court is due to get underway today and is expected to last 12 weeks.