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Mechanics cleared of manslaughter charges
TWO mechanics have been cleared of the manslaughter of 13-year-old racing cyclist James Berry.
Philip Alexander Firth, 46, of Laxey, and David Martin Jones, 51, of Ramsey, carried out repairs to a lorry two days before a wheel came off the vehicle and hit the teenager when he was out training on the Douglas to Peel road in December 2005.
He died from head injuries the following day.
The two men were working as mechanics at Island Drainage and Groundworks.
In a trial lasting 10 days the 12-member jury was told that the charge of manslaughter was made on the basis that the work the mechanics carried out was grossly negligent and the major factor in the cyclist's death.
But in their defence the two said that they carried out the work to a good standard and were sure that the vehicle was safe when it went out on the road.
Mr Firth and Mr Jones were backed in their defence by expert witness Chris Sawyer a motor mechanics expert who said his analysis showed that damage to the vehicle's wheel hub was caused during the accident and was not the cause of the accident.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
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