Second Man Found Guilty Over Tragic Death of Seven-Year-Old Harvey Tyrrell
A second man has been convicted over the heart-breaking death of seven-year-old Harvey Tyrrell in Romford.
Colin Naylor Guilty of Health and Safety Failures
Colin Naylor, 74, from Rayleigh, was found guilty on 16 February at Snaresbrook Crown Court of failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act. However, he was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter charges. He is currently on bail, awaiting sentencing at a date to be confirmed.
How Harvey Died
- Harvey Tyrrell was found unresponsive at The King Harold pub, Romford, on 11 September 2018.
- Paramedics rushed him to hospital, but he was pronounced dead that evening.
- A post-mortem revealed electrocution as the cause of death.
- Harvey had been playing in the pub’s garden when he sat on a faulty light fitting and touched a live railing, receiving a fatal electric shock.
Shocking Safety Failures Laid Bare
Investigations revealed Naylor had installed the dangerous light just three months before the tragedy in June 2018. The metal casing was live with electricity because it had not been properly earthed or insulated against water.
Naylor, a self-declared qualified electrician with 50 years’ experience, admitted he had inspected some electrical work at the pub earlier in April 2018 and was concerned. But after speaking to the pub owner, he chose not to address the poor wiring.
Detective Sergeant Andy McAlister said:
“As a qualified electrician, Naylor had not only the ability, but also the responsibility, to ensure that the work he completed didn’t pose a risk to those visiting the venue. The dangerous wiring he ignored led directly to the death of an innocent child and devastated a family.”
Family Respond to Verdict
Harvey’s parents, Lewis Tyrrell and Danielle Jones, spoke on behalf of their family:
“After two and a half years of heartbreak since losing our beautiful baby boy Harvey, we are grateful to the jury for finding Colin Naylor guilty of the part he played in our precious son’s death. We thank our community, the police, and the prosecution team for their support. As a family, we need time to reflect on this outcome.”
Pub Owner Also Faces Justice
The pub’s owner, David Bearman, 73, pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter back in March 2020. He faces sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court, with a date yet to be set.
