Upminster: Man Charged Over Lee Balkwell Death

25 November 2013, 13:48 | Updated: 25 November 2013, 14:39

Lee Balkwell was found dead in a cement mixer on a farm in Upminster in 2002

A man has been charged over the death of a lorry driver whose body was found in a cement mixer in Upminster more than a decade ago.

Lorry driver Lee Balkwell, 33, was found dead at Baldwin's Farm in Upminster, Essex, on July 18 2002. His head and shoulders were lodged in the mixer. 

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now authorised Essex Police to charge Simon Bromley, 44, of Baldwin's Farm, with manslaughter and a charge under health and safety legislation of failing to protect somebody in his employment. 

At the time of the death, Essex Police said its investigation established that the death was accidental. 

But last year the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which intervened after a series of complaints by Mr Balkwell's father Les, found the inquiry was "seriously flawed''. 

As well as the IPCC inquiry, West Midlands Police were asked to investigate how Mr Balkwell died, making more than 90 recommendations for further action. 

Bromley will appear before Basildon Magistrates' Court on January 27.