A MAN has appeared in court in connection with the death of a man found trapped under a cement mixer - more than 11 years ago.

Bromley, 45, has been charged with the manslaughter of Lee Balkwell who was found dead under the drum of a cement mixer.

Bromley - Mr Balkwell’s boss at the time - has also been also charged with an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

This alleges he failed to ensure Mr Balkwell’s health and safety between July 16 and July 19, 2002, while he worked on the vehicle.

The body of Mr Balkwell, 33, was found wedged under the drum and chassis of a Hymix concrete mixer at about 1am on July 18, 2002.

The alleged offences at Baldwin’s Farm, in Dennises Lane, South Ockendon, took place while Mr Balkwell and Bromley were drilling drying cement out of the mixer at the farm.

Yesterday Karim Khalil QC, prosecuting, told Chelmsford Crown Court papers in the case should be with Bromley's defence team by early June.

No charges were put to Bromley, and the case was adjourned until next month.

A plea and case management hearing will take place on June 16 and the court heard any trial is expected to last up to three weeks.

Bromley, from Baldwin’s Farm, Dennises Lane, was granted bail until his next court appearance.

The serious crime squad re-investigated the case after the Independent Police Complaints Commission was critical of Essex Police’s original investigation into Mr Balkwell’s death and subsequent reviews.