Trial date set over Eastbourne Pier workman’s death
A trial date has been set for two men accused of the manslaughter of a construction worker who fell from Eastbourne Pier in 2014.
Stephen Penrice, who was 44 and from Cumbria, was working on the pier after it was badly damaged by fire.
Michael Hawkins, 36, from Cumbria, and Paul Dixon, 52, from Lancashire, both face a charge of gross negligence manslaughter. The trial is due to start on April 20 and expected to last for up to seven weeks.
Mr Penrice’s death came three weeks after fire destroyed a third of the landmark.