By Jason Evans
Copyright walesonline
The jury hearing the trial of Tata Steel for alleged safety breaches at its Port Talbot plant has been discharged. The steel giant was on trial over an incident in February 2022 when toxic gases from a blast furnace were vented into an area where men were working, resulting in two people being taken to hospital. The company denied two counts of failing in its duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others and was on trial at Swansea Crown Court . On Monday, at the start of the second week of the trial, the court heard that a personal issue with counsel in the case meant they were unable to continue. Judge Geraint Walters told jurors that, having considered the matter, he was “wholly convinced” that in it was the interests of justice that the jury should be discharged and the case be retried. He thanked jurors for the attention they had given to the case thus far. The case was listed for a mention of October 10 when a date for retrial is expected to be set. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here
