CHEEMA: SHOP WHERE GIRL DIED HAD FAULTY GAS HEATER
A takeaway shop owner today (Tues) admitted using a faulty gas heater which killed a 16-year-old girl.
Amman Cheema, 35, pleaded guilty to contravening a health and safety regulation at the Old Bailey.
He had previously been accused of Chelsea Wright’s manslaughter, but was cleared after the prosecution offered no evidence against him.
Chelsea was found dead at Erith Fried Chicken in Erith Road, Bexleyheath, Kent, on March 16, 2009.
She had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from fumes from an LPG heater within the shop.
Her friend Tom Hoyne, 19, a part-time worker at the shop who was with Chelsea at the time, was left in a critical condition.
He has recovered but has been left with permanent health problems.
Cheema admitted failing to ensure the heater was maintained in a safe condition between March 1 and March 16, 2009.
He was cleared of causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Hoyne after the prosecution offered no evidence.
A further charge of perverting the course of justice was ordered to lie on file.
It was claimed he approached Mr Hoyne, of Fendyke Road, Belvedere, Kent, on October 12 2009 and told him to make a statement saying he did not want to continue supporting the grievous bodily harm charge.
Cheema will be sentenced on August 23, following the preparation of a report by the Probation Service.
Judge Peter Rook QC said: ‘This, as you know, is a very tragic case. As a result of faults wit this cabinet heater Chelsea Wright died and Tom Hoyne, an employee of yours, has been profoundly effected.
‘You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence in respect of this appliance that was installed at the premises you run.
‘I want to make it quite clear I am keeping all my options open as to sentence.’
It was reported at the time that Chelsea and Mr Hoyne had stayed overnight in the empty flat above the shop.
It is understood they were found by Mr Cheema in the premises the following morning.
Cheema, of Earl Road, Gravesend, Kent, was released on conditional bail to stay at an address in (16) Keble Grove, Broadway Park, Walsall, West Midlands.
ENDS
