Advanced Environmental Services cleared of all charges.
A company has been cleared of all charges in a court case over deadly asbestos at Hugh Christie Technology College.
A jury at Maidstone Crown Court heard Basildon-based firm Advanced Environmental Services was called in to the Tonbridge college’s old building in May 2009 to get rid of asbestos before demolition.
It was alleged the firm failed to observe safety measures, putting workers’ lives at risk. But on the second day of the three-day trial lawyers for the company argued there was no case to answer and, in a surprise move, the prosecution announced on Wednesday it would be calling no further evidence in the case.
The jury, under Judge Martin Joy’s direction, returned a not guilty verdict.
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