Glasgow City Council fined £86k after lamppost fell onto man

Glasgow City Council has been fined £86,000 after a man suffered life-changing injuries when a lamppost fell on top of him outside a school.

Colin Shaw, 50, was struck as he spoke to a colleague near Kelvinside Academy on 20 June 2023.

The lamppost - which was twice over its life expectancy - had been due for replacement 11 months after the incident.

However, it pinned Shaw, a military veteran, to the ground as a car caught onto the lamppost's cable and kept it on him. At Glasgow Sheriff Court the local authority pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work act.

The court heard how Shaw had been talking to a colleague outside the school about 16:15, with his back to the lamppost.

Moments later his colleague saw it fall towards them.

Prosecutor Richard Brown said: "She ran and screamed towards Mr Shaw but it struck him from behind and pinned him face down to the ground.

"The cable attached to lamppost were caught by a passing car which dragged the lamppost over him."

The cable was removed from him when another car got caught up in it.

A 999 call was made and emergency service crews found Shaw conscious but screaming in pain.

He was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered serious life-changing injuries, including multiple spine and rib fractures, as well as a fracture to his tibia and ankle.

The court heard he had led an active lifestyle before the incident and has since suffered flashbacks and mental health issues.

An investigation carried out found the lamppost had an expiry service life of 20 to 25 years, but was still in operation twice over that period.

It was described as being in a "poor condition" and had been due to be replaced in April 2024. Its previous inspection was in March 2022.

The inspection had failed to recognise the extent of corrosion on the lamppost.

Other lampposts in the surrounding streets were also checked for their safety after the incident.

Colin Smith, defending, told the court: "I formally convey the council's sincere apologies that this incident occurred particularly that it resulted in such terrible injuries to Mr Shaw.

"At the time, if the council knew that the lamppost posed a risk then it would have been removed.

"The failure by an individual should not impugn the inspections in their generality."

However, Sheriff Iain Fleming said the local authority had fallen short of an appropriate standard of conduct, with significant consequences and "serious, severe and life changing" injuries for Shaw.

He added: "There was impairment which has had a substantial and long-term effect on Mr Shaw's ability to carry out day-to-day activities or to return to work.

"I also consider that it is an aggravating feature that this offence took place near to a school building. There is an increased likelihood of the presence of children.

"While I take into account Mr Smith's submission that this was an isolated, albeit subsisting breach of the legislation, it was serious and criminal and had significant consequences."

The hearing was told that the council's annual budget for 2024 and 2025 was £1.7bn.

The council has spent £7.5m to replace similar lampposts over a three-year period.

In a statement previously released through Digby Brown Solicitors, Shaw said: "This accident has had a huge impact on my life and I am pleased it has now come to a conclusion."