THE representative of a Co Down company has appeared in court to deny a charge of corporate manslaughter.
David Henderson Food Machinery Limited, on the Downpatrick Road in Killyleagh, has been charged with causing the death of Stephen Karl Casement.
Mr Casement (66) from Crossgar died following an incident at premises outside the Co Down village in November 2018.
His family attended Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, where a representative from the company denied corporate manslaughter.
David Henderson was called into the dock and was then charged with two separate offences arising from the fatality.
The company was charged of causing the death "in that you managed or organised your activities in a way amounting to a gross breach of a relevant duty of care owed by you to the said deceased".
When this was put to Mr Henderson, he replied "not guilty".
He denied a second count on the same date of failing to ensure "the health, safety and welfare at work of all your employees' under the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order".
After both pleas were entered, Judge Geoffery Miller KC enquired about the duration of the trial and was informed by both the Crown and defence that the hearing would take around a week and a half.
Judge Miller set the date for trial as April 26 and said he would review the case ahead of the hearing when he will expect an update on the progress of expert reports.
