Higgins Homes Faces Manslaughter Charges After Mother Crushed by Falling Bricks in East London
A construction company and four individuals are standing trial following the death of a woman crushed by a collapsing wall in East London. Sahar Da Cunha, a mother-of-two, was killed instantly by falling bricks from a wall that was part of a construction site during high winds on 25th March 2021.
Corporate Manslaughter Charges Levied
Higgins Homes PLC faces charges of corporate manslaughter, while three of its directors – Jonathan Higgins, Richard Higgins, and Michael Higgins – are charged with gross negligence manslaughter. Jonathan Lewis, a company project manager, also faces a gross negligence manslaughter charge. All defendants deny the allegations.
The incident occurred as Ms Da Cunha walked past the site on the Isle of Dogs. Prosecutor Zoe Rice told Southwark Crown Court that the wall, which was being demolished at the time, collapsed under strong gusts. An investigation concluded that the wall had been left in an unsafe condition.
The trial is expected to detail alleged failures in site management and adherence to safety protocols during the demolition process. The proceedings continue, examining the extent to which the company and its managers were responsible for the structural integrity of the site's perimeters and the ultimate tragic outcome.
