Lydia Bishop death – York College fined £175,000

The York College has been fined £175,000 and ordered to pay £45,000 in court costs over the death of Lydia Bishop at its nursery.

It is unclear where the money to pay the fine, from the publicly funded College, will come from.

There has been speculation that – now that the trial has concluded – major changes to the management and governance structure at the College will take place.

The nursery has already been permanently closed.

York College held responsible for death of Lydia Bishop

The jury cleared nursery worker Sophee Readhead of manslaughter by gross negligence and a further health and safety charge.

York College has been found guilty of health and safety failings which led to the death of a three-year-old girl at their on-site nursery.

The College was found guilty by a jury at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday 6 February 2014 after a trial lasting three weeks, of failing to ensure people not in their employment are not exposed to a risk to their health and safety.

The College is due to be sentenced on Friday 14 February 2014.

Lydia tragically died during her first full day at York College Nursery on 17 September 2013, after a rope attached to a slide became entangled around her neck.