Get the latest news from Manx.News

Mount Murray roofer found guilty of health and safety breach

Thu, 24 Nov 2016

A roofer from Santon has been found guilty of breaching health and safety laws resulting in the fire at the Mount Murray Hotel in 2013.

64-year-old Roy Cross was working on the now-closed facility when it caught fire three years ago, resulting in half of the hotel being destroyed.

The trial, which got underway last week, heard Cross used a blow torch in a bid to dry out damp roof timbers while replacing leadwork,resulting in the fire.

The defence claimed the tiles were flammable, but tests showed they would not have caught alight after 10 minutes under a blowlamp.

The jury took two hours to return guilty verdicts on all three counts of breaching health and safety legislation.

Deemster Main-Thompson warned Cross he could be facing a custodial sentence when he returns to court for sentencing in the New Year.

---