Pub landlord jailed for manslaughter after customer falls down cellar steps

A CUSTOMER plunged to his death down the cellar steps of a Scarborough pub, then lay there undiscovered for three days while the landlord went on a health and safety course.

James Teasdale, 36, mistook the unlocked door to the cellar for the gents’ toilet, while on a night out after the World Cup final.

On Friday David Bell, 51, was jailed for two years after admitting he was responsible for the unlawful death of Mr Teasdale at the Zest bar on St Thomas Street, Scarborough.

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Leeds Crown Court heard the tragedy should never have happened in the first place because there had been at least two previous incidents at the bar in which customers had been hurt in similar circumstances.

Jailing Bell for gross negligence manslaughter, Mr Justice Spencer said the door should have been secured describing it as “an accident waiting to happen.”

The court heard in the latest incident Mr Teasdale, a graphic designer from Scarborough, was drinking with friends last July and left them to go to the toilet.

When he did not return they assumed he had gone home without saying good night as he had done previously.

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Unknown to anybody he had probably mistaken the cellar door for the gents, falling down the 11 steep steps and fracturing his skull, Jonathan Sharp prosecuting told the court.

He also suffered brain damage but remained conscious for at least one possibly up to four hours, crawling around the cellar before he died.

Normally staff at the bar would have gone in there that Sunday night to restock but the premises were not opening for the next two days while Bell was away on a health and safety course.

Mr Teasdale was reported missing by his family on the Tuesday but he was only found in the cellar the following day.

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Detective Inspector Heather Pearson, who led the North Yorkshire Police investigation, said: “Gross negligence manslaughter is not only rare, it is also a difficult crime to prosecute. The guilty plea from David Bell was testament to the hard work and professionalism of the police investigation.

“This case also highlights the ultimate responsibility of business owners and managers to ensure health and safety laws are followed to the highest standards.

“This is a wake-up call to anyone who foolishly believes the law does not apply to them or think they can get away with lax and dangerous practises.

“I just hope that James’s family can take some comfort from the outcome at court and are able to rebuild their lives after their terrible loss.”

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Jan Hills, District Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in North Yorkshire said: “David Bell was grossly negligent and committed a clear breach of his duty of care towards his customer, Mr Teasdale. As a result of this, Mr Teasdale lost his life in an incident which was as foreseeable as it was preventable.

“This case emphasises that no-one is above the law. Those who seek to evade or ignore their responsibilities will be prosecuted with the utmost rigour.

“Our thoughts are with Mr Teasdale’s family and friends at this tragic time. We hope that today’s sentencing brings them some measure of comfort.”

Mr Teasdale’s parents Derek and Barbara said in a statement: “We are very relieved that justice has been carried out for James and for everybody who knew and loved him.

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“We all miss James greatly and his tragic but preventable death will live with us forever.

“The most important thing is that James will always be in our thoughts and hearts. All the special memories we have shared will never fade.”