Two Men Jailed Over Death of 7-Year-Old Boy at Pub
Two men have been sentenced for the tragic death of seven-year-old Harvey Tyrrell in September 2018.
Pub Owner Gets 9 Years for Manslaughter
David Bearman, 73, landlord of The King Harold pub in Harold Wood, Romford, was handed nine years in prison for gross negligence manslaughter and illegal electricity use. The Chelmsford man admitted guilt back in March 2020 at the Old Bailey but was only sentenced on 15 April at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Co-Worker Sentenced for Health and Safety Failures
Colin Naylor, 74, of Rayleigh, got 12 months after being found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act. He was cleared of manslaughter in a trial concluded in February 2021 but sentenced today for neglecting his safety duties.
How Harvey’s Death Unfolded
- On 11 September 2018, Harvey was found unresponsive after receiving an electric shock while playing in the pub garden.
- He died later that evening in hospital from electrocution.
- Investigators found Harvey touched a faulty light and railing – both dangerously live.
- The pub’s electrics hadn’t had a full safety check since 2009, with numerous defects long ignored by Bearman.
- Despite multiple warnings from inspectors and even suffering an electric shock himself months earlier, Bearman failed to fix these deadly issues.
- Many electrical repairs were done by Bearman and Naylor, with Naylor reportedly carrying out the fatal light’s installation just three months before the tragedy.
- Crucially, the entire electrical system serving the garden lights was found not to be earthed, posing a lethal hazard.
Family Speaks Out
“In September 2018 our lives changed forever. We lost our beautiful seven-year-old boy Harvey due to two men’s complete disregard for safety in a public place,” said Harvey’s parents, Lewis Tyrrell and Danielle Jones. “After waiting an agonising two-and-a-half years, we finally have some justice for Harvey. No sentence will ever be enough – we’ll live with the heartache for the rest of our lives. We don’t want any other family to suffer like we have.”
Detective’s Grim Verdict
“Bearman’s negligence cost a young boy his life – a tragedy that was so avoidable,” said Detective Sergeant Andy McAlister. “Despite repeated warnings, he ignored the dangerous condition of the electrics. As a qualified electrician, Naylor had a duty to ensure his work was safe but failed. Their actions devastated a family forever.”
