Premier League footballers’ property tycoon prosecuted

Christopher Oakes, 50, is saddled with a hefty payout after his firm Huntsmere Projects Ltd was prosecuted for health and safety offences following an accident at a luxury Cheshire villa

A property tycoon who builds luxury homes for Premier League footballers is facing a £250,000 legal bill after a bricklayer plunged through the floor of a £5million mansion. 

Father-of-three Andrew Stott was left fighting for his life when the floor collapsed underneath him on the first storey of a six-bedroom house in Cheshire. 

Now former barrister Christopher Oakes, 50, is saddled with a hefty payout after his firm Huntsmere Projects Ltd was prosecuted for health and safety offences.

The property in Alderley Edge has an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym and a three acre paddock.

It is described by Huntsmere as a ‘magnificent statement house blending striking architecture and award winning landscape design.’

Construction work at Southfield, a the stone ‘art and craft’ villa set in more than four acres of land, was expected to take 40 weeks. 

Tests revealed a steel beam holding up the floor had been incorrectly fitted – some were installed too high and one was resting dangerously close to the edge of a concrete pillar.

Vibration from the construction machinery it thought to have caused it to slip and collapse. 

Mr Stott fell less than 10 feet but a concrete block landed on him and he crashed through the floor.

The bricklayer spent 11 days in intensive care after suffering fractures to his spine and pelvis and severe chest injuries.

The property in Alderley Edge has an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym and a three acre paddock. Construction work was expected to take 40 weeks but was cut short after Father-of-three Andrew Stott fell from the first story after a misplaced beam gave way

The property in Alderley Edge has an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym and a three acre paddock. Construction work was expected to take 40 weeks but was cut short after Father-of-three Andrew Stott fell from the first story after a misplaced beam gave way

At Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, Wilmslow-based Huntsmere admitted an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £240,000 with £14,439.53 in costs. 

Father-of-three Mr Oakes and his wife Louise, who are the sole directors of the firm according to Companies House, are expected to pick up the bill.

The court heard two other companies linked to the project are also being sued over the accident, which took place on 22 April, 2014.

Mr Oakes’ firm was previously ordered to pay £7,000 for health and safety matters after his project at the £4million home of former Manchester City footballer Joleon Lescott was cut short.

Workmen were ordered to down tools in 2010 due to highly dangerous construction work being carried out at the property.

Mr Stott, who was in hospital for 12 weeks and needs a chair to help him stand up, said in a statement he had tried to raise safety concerns with his floor manager.

Prosecutor Jonathan Rogers said: ‘Mr Stott was working for the construction company for a relatively long time. 

‘They were making good working progress on the first floor of the house and the ground floor and basement had been completed. 

‘Mr Stott and a few other bricklayers had been working 4 to 5 days prior to the accident.

‘But on the day of the accident, Mr Stott was due to work with his fellow bricklayers when he wanted some help with an issue he was having with the work they had already done. 

‘He was speaking with his colleague whilst stood on the first floor when it began to gave way and he fell three metres below.

‘The other men managed to get away, but unfortunately the victim was brought down with the floor and a concrete block landed on top of him. 

‘Luckily he managed to be moved before several other blocks fell.

‘He had made a complaint to the floor manager before the accident occurred. 

‘They had been working for five days on the floor and everything seemed to be going well, that Mr Stott was aware of, but unfortunately it did give way.’

The court heard the site manager was aware of the issue but despite it requiring major structural changes, he failed to alert Huntsmere due to fears about delays in completing the project on time. 

Adrian Farrow, representing Huntsmere Projects Ltd, said the company accepts the ‘devastating effect’ of the accident on Mr Stott but argued that other parties involved.

 ‘The necessary risk assessments should have been in place, but the defendant did not know anything about these issues,’ he said.

‘The building was modified to make allowances for the steel beam, without the defendant company’s knowledge.

He added: ‘The company has won a number of awards in the luxury properties section for the last two years running.’

Sentencing, Judge Angela Nield said: ‘This is a high harm case and a clearly an unfortunate and tragic one for Mr Stott and his family. 

‘He was injured as a result of a foreseeable risk of harm. 

It was not a case where cost cutting cause the problems but it was inadequate management, poor working practice and and a wholly inappropriate response to a specific situation.

‘Having any sort of freedom such as driving or walking is a now distant memory for Mr Stott and his family. 

‘His ability to undertake activities with his children who at the time of the accident were 9, 13, and 19 has been greatly effected. 

‘There has been a strain on his marriage, and his life has been destroyed as a direct consequence of this accident.’ 



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