Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
Between 4 April 2016 and 21 October 2017
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
No fine ordered given the financial position of the Defendant.

Safety lessons learned:
  1. Ensure regular, preventative maintenance assessments are carried out by an appropriately qualified person; and
  2. Ensure that the deck barrier is appropriate.

Defendant name:
Portage Management Limited (in liquidation)
 
Industry:
Hospitality
 
Date of offence:
Between 4 April 2016 and 21 October 2017
 
Facts in brief:
Four patrons of the Portage Hotel fell 2m off a deck area when the barrier broke, suffering various injuries including broken bones, a head injury and loss of consciousness.
 
Offence section:
Sections 37, 48(1) and 48(2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
 
Date(s) charged:
19 October 2018

Court:
Blenheim - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
No fine ordered given the financial position of the Defendant.
 
Maximum fine available:
$1.5 million
 
Reparation:
$60,000 for emotional harm