Law Weblog

Sentencing; record fine

Tuesday 6 April 2004 at 6:24 pm | In News | Post Comment

5th April 2004
Thames Trains were fined a record £2million for the collision at Ladbroke Grove. The fine followed a one-day sentence hearing at the Old Bailey, where the judge also awarded costs of £75,000 in addition to the fine.

On 5 October 1999 a Thames Trains Turbo passenger train passed signal 109 at red shortly after leaving Paddington station. The Turbo collided head on with a First Great Western high-speed train that was approaching Paddington station. Fire broke out immediately following the collision. 31 people died, including both train drivers, and many more suffered serious injuries.

The maximum sentence in a Crown Court for a single offence is an unlimited fine.