Paul Greaney QC, Jason Pitter QC and Elyas Patel appear in the first corporate manslaughter case under the new Definitive Guideline

On 3rd December 2015, Sherwood Rise Limited (the owner and operator of a care home in Nottingham) pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter in respect of the death of an elderly resident who had been in its care and Yousaf Khan (its managing director) pleaded guilty to manslaughter by gross negligence.

On 1st February 2016, the Definitive Guideline on Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety and Hygiene Offences came into force.

On 5th February 2016, Sherwood Rise Limited was not only the first company to be sentenced for corporate manslaughter under the new Guideline, but also the first care home operator to be sentenced ever for an offence of homicide. Mr. Justice Jay, sitting in the Crown Court in Nottingham, fined the company £300,000 and imprisoned the managing director for three years and two months. Jason Pitter QC (instructed by Liz Reed of CPS HQ) prosecuted the case. Paul Greaney QC represented the company and Elyas Patel represented the managing director. Both were instructed by Waj Khalil of Kamrans Solicitors.

For more information:

• BBC