Stage door boss is charged with manslaughter over concert venue deaths

David Naylor who owned and ran Express High Fold Doors Ltd, was charged with two counts of manslaughter by gross negligence after the deaths of two men at a gig venue almost three years ago.

Initial reports described Naylor, of Stourbridge Road, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, as the designer of the free-standing door which collapsed, tragically crushing one man and trapping another. Both men died from their injuries.

However it emerged at a preliminary hearing at Guildford Crown Court yesterday that he was the owner of the company which supplied the allegedly dangerous door

Prosecutor Zoe Martin said a health and safety investigation revealed that the door had caused incidents and health risks in the past before the tragic incident that caused the death of two men.

Ms Martin said: "There have been instances in the past of doors collapsing but thankfully no-one was ever injured. A full health and safety report revealed a breach in health and safety by David Naylor and probably the company too," she alleged.

Issues with the type of door, that had been supplied to venues throughout the UK and across Europe, at other venues were highlighted but she confirmed the doors never before caused the death of anyone involved.

Judge Christopher Critchlow said: "I hope those involved with this case are taking this matter extremely seriously, both the insurance and the solicitors involved. It is something that happened three years ago now, where two men died. It should be dealt with swiftly."

Singer for the band Fisherman's Friends Trevor Grills and promoter Paul McMullen died in the incident at the G Live in Guildford, Surrey, on February 9, 2013.

The Cornish band, which achieved fame by singing traditional sea shanties and folk tunes, had just arrived in the Surrey town for the next gig in their tour.

They were met by Mr McMullen, aged 47 years, from Disley, Cheshire, and were preparing to unload some of their equipment when a large rolling door, which had been raised, came crashing down. He was rushed to St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, but never regained consciousness.

Mr Grills, aged 54, and from Port Isaac, in Cornwall, was hit on the head by the four-ton door and knocked to the ground. Mr McMullen was caught across his pelvis and pinned to the ground. When he was finally freed he suffered a heart attack.

A date of September 26 was outlined for the start of the trial which was expected to take up to six weeks and could include 36 witnesses.

Naylor, 52, was given conditional bail and was ordered to reappear at Guildford Crown Court on March 11.