Alice Figueiredo. Image: Family of Alice Figueiredo
(Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sebastian Mann)
North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) is the first mental health trust charged with corporate manslaughter following the death of an in-patient.
Alice Figueiredo, 22, died in Goodmayes Hospital on 7th July 2015.
NELFT oversees mental health care in the hospital, as well as others in Waltham Forest, Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge.
The mental health trust is charged with corporate manslaughter and failing to ensure the safety of non-employees, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Hospital worker Benjamin Aninakwa, of Grays in Essex, is accused of manslaughter by gross negligence.
He has also been charged with an offence under the same Act, which alleges he failed to take reasonable care of the patients on the hospital’s Hepworth ward.
Representatives from NELFT were present today (31st October), sitting near Aninakwa, who wore a grey jacket and striped shirt.
Both parties – represented by separate defence barristers – deny all charges.
The trial began on Monday (October 29th) and the jury was sworn in late this morning. Proceedings will recommence next Monday.
It is expected to last for three months, until late January, and will be held in the Old Bailey.
