Firm fined £60k after man electrocuted during football match
NewsUK NewsCourtsAlbert Xhediku had climbed over a fence to fetch a football when he was hurt15:27, 17 Jun 2026A leisure facilities management firm has been fined £60,000 after a man was electrocuted during a. . .
NewsUK NewsCourtsAlbert Xhediku had climbed over a fence to fetch a football when he was hurt15:27, 17 Jun 2026A leisure facilities management firm has been fined £60,000 after a man was electrocuted during a football match. Taxi driver Albert Xhediku climbed over a fence to fetch a football after it had gone out of play during a five-a-side match. The 34-year-old came into contact with a floodlight and received a shock at the Mountbatten Leisure Centre in Portsmouth on January 17, 2016. READ MORE:The disturbing digital trail left by racist monster who raped Sikh woman he thought was MuslimMr Xhediku was pronounced dead in hospital later the same day, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said. An investigation by the HSE found the incident was caused by worn and faulty wiring on the floodlight which Parkwood Community Leisure had failed to properly inspect and maintain. It was also found that the failing had been present for several years and no action had been taken to repair the equipment. Thar was despite a previous incident being reported to the centre a month before Mr Xhediku’s death when an off-duty police officer suffered an electric shock from the same equipment. Parkwood Community Leisure, of The Stables, Duxbury Park, Duxbury Hall Road, Chorley, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay costs of £40,000 at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Tuesday, June 16. READ MORE:Secret to getting the best of BirminghamLive's storiesHSE inspector Dominic Goacher said: "This tragic incident should never have happened. "What followed was a long and complex investigation. "We found the electrical system of the floodlight that resulted in Albert’s death had already been identified by Parkwood as being in poor condition, yet it failed to take action to remedy the faults. "This case is a stark reminder that effective systems must be put in place to properly assess and manage the risks posed by ageing infrastructure on their sites. Article continues below"As always, our thoughts remain with Albert’s family and friends and we hope the conclusion of this case can offer them some comfort. "Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here. Choose Birmingham Live as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value. Courts