Kaden Reddick: Arcadia and Topshop found guilty of safety breaches in connection with death of 10-year-old Burghfield schoolboy

The family of Kaden Reddick – a Burghfield schoolboy who died when a 110kg barrier fell on him in The Oracle’s Topshop store – have said they still have “unanswered questions” after two companies were found guilty of health and safety breaches.

Following a two-month trial, Arcadia Group Ltd – the defunct former owner of Topshop, Topman and other British fashion brands – and Topshop and Topman Ltd were convicted on Monday of health and safety breaches in connection with 10-year-old Kaden’s death on February 13, 2017.

A third company, Stoneforce, which fitted the barrier, pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches prior to the trial, while barrier manufacturer Realm was acquitted by a jury.

The trial took place at Reading Crown Court, which heard how the companies had failed to carry out health and safety checks on the barriers to ensure shoppers were not in danger.

In a statement, Kaden’s mother, Lisa Mallett, paid tribute to her son, describing him as a “loving cheeky little boy” whose life “was only beginning”.

She said: “Kaden was killed in a place that should have been safe, in front of my mum, myself and my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

“Witnessing Kaden smashed into the floor by the barrier, and the aftermath, is something I will still see until my dying day.

“As a family, we have sat through an inquest and heard all the companies involved blame someone else. We are now happy that Stoneforce has taken responsibility for its part and pleaded guilty.

“Despite having sat through an almost 10-week trial, the questions we have sadly remain unanswered.

“We’ve listened to all the evidence. It is clear to us that Kaden’s death should have been prevented. As a family we should have celebrated his 16th birthday on March 8.

“A lot of witnesses in court have used the words ‘should have’ and ‘expected to’.

“All we can say is that I ‘expected to’ and ‘should have’ walked out of Topshop that day with Kaden walking next to me. Instead Kaden was killed.

“As a family we would like to thank Thames Valley Police, Reading Borough Council and everyone else who have been involved in this lengthy process and we are happy that, after five years, Topshop and Arcadia have finally been held accountable.”

In the inquest into Kaden’s death, Reading Coroner’s Court heard how Kaden, who attended Garland Junior School, had been swinging on the one metre high, 110kg queue divider, holding on with both hands with his feet off the ground.

The jury also heard that the same barrier had been seen to wobble in the days before his death.

The charges against the companies were laid by Reading Borough Council, which had been investigating health and safety matters surrounding the death.

A statement by the council said: “We are extremely pleased at the verdict.

“We are also pleased that a guilty plea has been received from Stoneforce Limited, the installers of the queue barrier within Topshop Reading.

“We remain of the belief that all four companies on trial had responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

“This was an extremely difficult, complex and resource intensive case for the council but one we felt was wholly necessary to take as far as we could.

“Kaden was just 10 years old.

“Kaden and his family should have been able to shop safely in Reading that day, as indeed should every single person who chooses to come to Reading, or anywhere else, to shop.

“Whilst retail premises like this one are typically considered low-risk for health and safety, this case demonstrates that they are not without hazard. Control measures are always required to keep customers and staff safe.

“Today’s successful outcome is testament to the diligent work of the council’s investigating officers over the past five years who have helped this case come to fruition. It started as a joint investigation under the Work Related Death Protocol (WRDP) with Thames Valley Police.

“Our thanks extend to everybody involved and to those that have provided invaluable support to Kaden’s family.”