Legal Experts React To New Developments Regarding Safety Concerns

Devon and Cornwall Police have announced the launch of a new police investigation into the deaths of two men linked to carbon monoxide from ovens manufactured by Beko.

The force has confirmed it is considering whether the deaths of Richard Smith, 30, and Kevin Branton, 32, who died at their home in Cornwall in November 2010, may be linked to “criminal offences” including corporate manslaughter.

The move has come after Beko was last year fined more than £76,000 after pleading guilty to failing to notify authorities of risks related to some cookers manufactured before 2009.

According to the Sunday Times, the first known death linked to one of the cookers was in November 2008, but a recall was not launched until January the following year – after four other people had died in incidents linked to the devices.

Beko has stated it is fully cooperating with proceedings but told the newspaper it did not consider there was any unnecessary delay in the recall.

Expert Opinion

“Very serious concerns have been raised regarding both the devices and the steps taken to ensure that consumers were made fully aware of potential risks related to certain models. <br/> <br/>“It is vital that this new investigation into the issue gathers as much information as possible in order to ensure, where possible, lessons can be learned from the issues identified in the past and similar problems are not seen again in the future.” Tim Annett - Partner