The first Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide case has been adjurned due to the defendant's ill health.

The case against Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings and its MD Peter Eaton was adjourned this morning, for 18 weeks, due to Eaton's health.  

Mr Justice Field heard submissions in private on today (26 February). He directed that the trial be listed to resume in early October 2010.

He took this step because Mr Eaton must undergo urgent medical treatment of a character which would render it "unfair and oppressive" for him to have to participate in the trial at the same time.

Charges were laid by the Crown Prosecution Service in April 2009, following the death of an employee of the company, Alex Wright, in September 2008. The case against the company is the first to be heard in the UK under the new Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.

Eaton has been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence and a health and safety offence in his own personal capacity.

Neither Eaton nor Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings were available for comment.