A COMPANY director has appeared in court in connection with a death at a leading Hampshire sports venue.

Ian Gould was accused of killing a construction worker at the Ageas Bowl the home of Hampshire Cricket in West End.

Philip Carsley, 34, who lived in North Yorkshire, was fatally injured when a concrete wall fell on him during the building of a new spectator stand at the site on February 8, 2010.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and three rapid response units were called to the stadium and found him alive. Unfortunately they were unable to save him and he died at the scene.

The Health and Safety Executive immediately launched an investigation into the tragedy.

Yesterday Gould, 52, appeared at Winchester Crown Court, charged with killing Mr Carsley by gross negligence. As a director of Prefix Ltd, he also faced two other charges in that he failed to ensure people were not exposed to risk and failing to plan, manage or monitor construction work to ensure it was carried out without risk.

Gould, from Eastrington, Yorkshire, was granted unconditional bail by Mr Justice Royce to return to Winchester Crown Court on October 7.

Talbot-based Andrew Scott Ltd, who had sub-contracted the work to Prefix, also face two charges brought under the Health & Safety Act in relation to the construction work.

Defence barristers confirmed they would be pleading not guilty at the resumed hearing and a trial is set to take place next April.