Kimberworth cot designer jailed over baby's death

Craig Williams (37), of Park View Road, Kimberworth, was jailed for three years and four months at Leeds Crown Court last Friday (26).

Seven-month-old Oscar Abbey, of York, died in November 2016 after choking to death in a cot made by Williams’ company, Playtime Beds.

Williams denied manslaughter but pleaded guilty to fraud and failing to discharge the employer’s general duty.

During a two week trial, a jury heard how Williams ignored safety guidelines and made and supplied dangerous beds which had been purchased by families for their children to sleep in.

In the months prior to Oscar's death, other customers had raised safety concerns with Williams following incidents involving their own children, the court heard.

Williams stated that his beds exceeded safety standards, and informed one customer that Trading Standards were happy with the products manufactured by him and if she continued to raise her concerns he would take her to court.

He then continued to manufacture and supply beds to unsuspecting families, ignoring the dangers they posed to children.

Following Oscar's death, police informed Williams of the incident and Sheffield Trading Standards issued Playtime Beds Ltd with a cease and desist warning, directing him to stop the manufacture and supply of his beds, due to serious safety concerns.

However, through an investigation by North Yorkshire Police, officers found that Williams ignored the instruction and instead masterminded the setting up of another business called Magical Dream Beds Ltd, fronted by co-worker Joseph Bruce, with the intention of supplying the deadly beds to other families, hidden under another company’s name.

Bruce (31), of Kimberworth Park Road, Rotherham, was jailed for six months after admitting fraud.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Nigel Costello said the actions of Williams and Bruce were deplorable.

“The death of Oscar was preventable,” he said.

“As the investigation developed and unfolded, we found that Williams and Bruce were solely motivated by money and were willing to sacrifice children’s safety in the pursuit of it.

“Having been made aware of Oscar's death and despite being directed by Trading Standards to stop trading, it is completely unbelievable that Williams and Bruce continued to sell these dangerous beds to other families and their actions shows them to be the selfish and callous individuals they are.

“It is only by good fortune that no other children have suffered serious injury.”