Man facing Batley chimney collapse manslaughter charge too ill to attend court

Nigel Parker, who lives in Leeds, was due to appear at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Monday).

The 56-year-old is charged with unlawfully killing Daniel Hough on July 25 last year.

The builder, 23, was working at a semi-detached house in Thorncliffe Estate, Batley, when a chimney collapsed.

Parker is also charged with failing to ensure the health and safety of his employees from risk of injury during the removal of a chimney.

He is further accused of failing to ensure that persons not in his employment were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

Magistrates adjourned the case until May 6.