Haut Du Mont: Island Energy and three former employees make first court appearance

Friday, 14 March 2025 09:20

Island Energy and three of its former employees have appeared in Jersey's Magistrate's Court on charges relating to the explosion at Haut du Mont which killed ten people.

Magistrate Bridget Shaw told the court this is a 'case of extreme seriousness' before adjourning both matters to be heard at the Royal Court later in the spring.

Island Energy CEO Graeme Millar leaving Jersey Magistrate's Court

Graeme Millar, CEO of the gas company, represented the firm at today's hearing, where Island Energy was charged with:

Failing to ensure the health and safety of employees,
Failing to ensure the health and safety of people not in their employment.

READ: Island Energy to face charges over fatal Haut du Mont explosion

READ: Minister wants tougher powers over gas company

The Health and Safety Inspectorate laid the criminal charges under the Health and Safety at Work Law after a joint investigation with the police.

Former Island Energy employee Neil Armstrong (centre)

Separately, Neil Thomas Armstrong (56) was the first of the three former employees in the dock, alongside John Mark Wright, 59, and Lee Alan Ward, 57.

The three men were each charged with 10 counts of gross negligence manslaughter by States of Jersey Police in February.

They have been bailed until their next court appearance in May and were told, if they fail to adhere to the conditions of their bail, they risk custody.

READ: Three men charged over 10 deaths in Jersey explosion

Former Island Energy employee Lee Alan Ward (left)

Former Island Energy employee John Mark Wright (centre)

The three former gas workers and the utility company are being prosecuted separately under Operation Spire, the two year long investigation into the explosion on Pier Road.

Raymond Brown (71), Kathy McGinness (73), Billy Marsden (62), Ken Ralph (72), Jane Ralph (71), Peter Bowler (72), Derek Ellis (61), Sylvia Ellis (73), Romeu De Almeida (67) and Louise De Almeida (64) died as a result of the blast that occurred just before 4am on 10 December 2022..

The defendants will appear again in the Royal Court on 28 May 2025.

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