HCC staff face obstruction of justice allegations in bollard case

STAFF at Hampshire County Council are facing allegations they tried to “obstruct justice” in relation to an incident involving a young girl who was seriously injured when a defective bollard collapsed on her.

The council was found guilty by a jury last month of health and safety violations after it was revealed highways chiefs were warned about the bollard on Quay Hill, Lymington, less than a fortnight before the accident on 28th December. However, they failed to take urgent action to repair or replace it.

The girl, who was six years old at the time and had been climbing on the structure before it collapsed, spent five months in hospital and still requires care.

HCC was due to be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court last week, but the fresh claims being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive which prosecuted the case have delayed matters.

Judge Robert Pawson told the court these related to council employees, but no names were mentioned.

The barrister acting for the county council, Christine Agnew QC, said there were accusations of an “obstruction of justice”, and the authority was considering its position.

She added the claims were “extremely serious” and could have “a huge impact” on the careers of those staff members.

Witness statements would now be taken, the court heard, and both the prosecution and defence will make representations to the court before the judge decides whether a special Newton hearing is needed to establish the facts.

Judge Pawson said both sides should aim to make initial representations by mid–September. Should a Newton hearing be needed, a preliminary date of 18th November was pencilled in.