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The White Lion hotel in Worcestershire has been fined £34,000 after an RAF pilot fell 20ft to his death.
According to a report by the Forces Network sergeant Christopher James was found lying on the pavement by a motorist after he accidentally fell 20ft from an floor window in 2015.
In May 2016, a jury ruled that he was not “overly drunk” and recorded a verdict of accidental death at Worcestershire Coroner’s Court.
However in February 2018 hotel owners Jonathan and Christine Lear admitted to a breach of general duty on behalf of the partnership running the hotel. They were handed fines of £34,000 and ordered to pay £49,000 costs at Worcester Crown Court.
Judge Nicholas Cole said: “I take the view the prosecution were correct in describing the failure to include in a risk assessment any mention of falls from windows as a glaring omission.
“Had the question of the windows in the upper bedrooms been considered this would have been considered as an obvious risk and steps put in place.”
Councillor Bronwen Behan, Malvern Hills District Council, said: “This is a very tragic case and our thoughts are with the family of Mr James. It highlights the importance to all businesses of ensuring their risk assessments are thorough.”
