A painter and decorator has been handed a suspended jail sentence following the electrocution of his stepson while on a job. Daniel Watton, 50, who trades as Inside Out Painters and Decorators Property Maintenance, was sentenced in relation to the death of trainee painter and expectant father Connor Lambert.
The 24-year-old, from Market Drayton, lost his life after coming into contact with electricity when a ladder was being moved near overhead power lines. He had been working at a property in Cheshire on July 29, 2024, when the fatal incident took place. At the time, Connor was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first child with partner Megan McCann.
Family's tribute to 'cheeky' and caring Connor
Megan McCann remembered Connor for his "cheekiest grin" and love of family life. She said: "Connor was amazing. He had the cheekiest grin and would light up any room he was in – he was so funny. He was a caring person who always put everyone else first. He was very ambitious and he was an avid Arsenal fan. He went to loads of matches with my father and brother. He was a happy person who loved family life."
"We had been trying for our own family for three years and he was over the moon when we found out I was pregnant. He never missed a midwife appointment and was elated when we found out we were having a baby girl. We had been on the phone talking the morning he died – I had just taken delivery of a Moses basket and I was heavily pregnant at 32 weeks."
"But within minutes I got another phone call to say there had been accident and Connor was dead. I never thought I would have buried the love of my life and then given birth to our daughter 23 days later. She knows daddy is in the sky and at night he shines as a star – I'm making sure she knows who Connor is, but at some point, I will have to explain to her what happened. I will never get over Connor's death – I still feel angry, numb and feel a massive part of my world has gone."
HSE inquiry findings
An inquiry by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) discovered that Connor had been repositioning a fully extended ladder alongside a colleague at the gable end of the building. Throughout this procedure, the ladder either made contact with an overhead power cable or came sufficiently close for an electrical arc to develop. While Connor was fatally injured, his colleague sustained burns to his hands, feet and abdomen.
The inquiry also revealed the elevated work had not been adequately planned, supervised, or executed safely. The chosen equipment and working methods were inappropriate for the job and the hazards linked to operating near overhead power cables had not been sufficiently evaluated or managed. Furthermore, the investigation uncovered problems regarding the training and expertise of those undertaking the work.
The initial work plan involved utilising a tower scaffold and ladders to paint the building's exterior, including a section with a glass canopy; however, this method was neither appropriate nor secure. In reality, the work strayed from this plan, with ladders employed throughout. This approach was sanctioned by Daniel Watton, but was equally inappropriate and hazardous as evidenced by the tragic incident.
Father's grief and sentencing
Connor's father Craig West said: "This experience has changed me, my emotions, my temperament and my outlook on life. I'm agitated regularly and can become angry easily. I have lost the spring in my step and no longer have the drive I once had and work now has become a chore. After the findings of the inquest I find Connor's accident even more tragic as it should have so easily been avoided. I do hold people responsible for this situation."
HSE guidance specifies that where working at height cannot be prevented, it must be thoroughly planned, properly supervised, and executed safely. This encompasses using appropriate equipment and working practices and ensuring those participating are qualified. Where work near overhead power lines is unavoidable, steps must be taken to eliminate or minimise the risk, such as cutting off the power supply, using suitable equipment, and maintaining safe distances.
Watton, from Bean Bank, Wollerton, Market Drayton, admitted to violating Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was handed a 16-week suspended prison sentence for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £10,645 in costs at Warrington Magistrates' Court.
HSE inspector Keeley Eves commented: "This tragic incident meant a father never got to meet and hold his baby daughter. The fact it could and should have been prevented with proper planning and control measures, makes it all the more stark. Work at height and work near overhead power lines are both high-risk activities. Employers must ensure that suitable equipment is selected, risks are fully assessed, and workers are adequately trained and supervised. The very lives of those workers depend on these decisions. Our thoughts remain with all of Connor's loved ones."
The HSE prosecution was led by HSE enforcement lawyer Jonathan Bambro and paralegal officer Lynne Thomas, with support from Natalka Heath, HSE Visiting Officer.
