‘James Bond’ builder fined for threats to HSE inspectors

David Robert Lane, 59, was the location supervisor of an intensive cottage refurbishment in Staffordshire when unsafe work caught the eye of two inspectors from the HSE.

The pair had been finishing up routine inspections within the Rugeley space on 11 February 2025 once they noticed two individuals on the location accessing a roof from the bucket of an excavator.

There have been round ten employees on the location and when the inspectors approached, Lane, who would later be recognized as the location supervisor, came to visit to intervene.

He refused to establish himself, besides as James Bond, and rebuffed their makes an attempt to examine the location. He went on to inform the inspectors he was in truth the property proprietor, that the lads on web site had been unpaid mates and kinfolk, and that they’d no authorized proper to examine.

He adopted that up with threats of violence, at which level the inspectors withdrew.

The 2 inspectors returned to the location every week later, accompanied by officers from Staffordshire Police.

Web site supervisor Lane greeted them with a shout of “It’s PC Plod!” whereas nonetheless refusing to establish himself. He maintained that he was the proprietor, instructed all his employees to not converse to HSE, besides to substantiate that they had been his kinfolk and never at work, and instructed the inspectors as soon as once more that they’d no proper to examine and to depart the location.

After making a number of enquiries, the inspectors had been in a position to establish Lane as the location supervisor which resulted in him being served with enforcement motion.

Upon receiving notification that he was to be prosecuted he responded with three expletive laden emails, and stated “I received’t bounce by means of your hoops”.

David Robert Lane, of Rugeley, Staffordshire, did not attend Birmingham Magistrates Court docket on two events, and on the latter was discovered responsible after being tried in his absence. He was fined £3,000, ordered to pay full prices of £6,450 and should a sufferer surcharge of £1,200.

Talking after the listening to, HSE inspector Gareth Langston stated: “This case highlights the difficulties we face in making an attempt to enhance the well being and security of employees throughout Nice Britain.

“We settle for that not all employers will probably be happy to see us, however the overwhelming majority are skilled and settle for us with good grace.

“HSE won’t tolerate the obstruction of its inspectors, and will prosecute offenders in uncommon instances akin to this, the place that is essential.”