Two men charged on death of West Bromwich mother
Two men have been charged in connection with the death of a West Bromwich mother, who was electrocuted in her own flat more than five years ago.
Former Asda worker Emma Shaw, 22, was electrocuted while mopping up water from a leaky boiler, and died on December 14, 2007.
An inquest jury decided that the mother, of Jefferson Place in Grafton Road, West Bromwich, had been unlawfully killed.
Staff from the Crown Prosecution Service in the West Midlands looked at the case and decided there were enough grounds to give police the go-ahead to charge two men in connection with the incident.
Christopher Tomkins, aged 51, and 52-year-old Neil Hoult, who are both from Rowley Regis, have now been charged with offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Mark Paul, area legal advisor from West Midlands CPS, said: "I have advised officers from West Midlands Police that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to charge Christopher Tomkins and Neil Hoult with offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, arising from the fatal electrocution of Emma Shaw on 14 December 2007.
"The decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
"The defendants will appear at Sandwell Magistrates' Court on May 13.
"Mr Tomkins and Mr Hoult now stand charged with a criminal offence and have the right to a fair trial."
Miss Shaw left a young son, Brayden, who is being brought up by her former boyfriend Andrew Cross.
He was found in the living room, unharmed, after the incident when he was just one-year-old.
