A BIRDLIP-based company today became the first to be convicted of corporate manslaughter following the death in September 2008 of geologist Alex Wright.

Mr Wright, 27, from Cheltenham, was taking soil samples in a 3.8-metre deep unsupported trial pit at a building site in Brimscombe Lane, near Stroud, when it caved in, crushing him to death.

Mr Wright's employer, Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings Ltd, of Birdlip, was subsequently charged with corporate mansalughter, a charge it denied.

At Winchester Crown Court today the jury in the case found the company guilty.

Justice Field will sentence the company on Thursday afternoon. The firm faces an unlimited fine for the crime.

A statement released this afternoon on behalf of Alex’s family, his mum Shelley, 55, dad Joe, 57, and brother Adam, 26, read: “We are relieved by today’s verdict and that justice has been done for Alex, even though nothing can bring him back to us or take away the void we feel not having him here.

“Alex’s death continues to affect our lives every single day and there is a huge gap in our family where he used to be.

"As a family we didn’t live in each other's space but everything we did overlapped, so attempting to do things we did before is very hard.

"It’s altered our lives totally and also the lives of his partner Marlene and his best friend James.

“As an incredibly giving young man he was also involved with the local community, both as an assistant Scout leader with the Charlton Kings Scout Troop and a volunteer kayaking coach, and we know that they all miss him dearly too.

“Alex had always been fascinated by geology and the world around him, even as a child collecting different types of rocks and specimens.

"He was very hard-working and would dedicate himself to whatever he set his mind to. We believe it is to his credit, that when he graduated from Imperial College London he was determined to put his degree in Geology to good use in the work place and his future career.”

“We only hope that today’s verdict will help prevent others from having to suffer the same pain we are going through, by making similar companies learn from what happened to Alex and forcing them, if that is what it takes, to do more to protect the people that work for them.

"Indeed, having visited the site of Alex’s death and looked down into the deep narrow trench that killed him, I cannot honestly believe that any employer of good integrity or sound intentions would allow or expect any employee to commit themselves to such a danger.”

Detective Inspector Giulia Marogna, who ran the investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: “The death of Alexander Wright was both tragic and unnecessary and our sympathies are with his family and loved ones, who continue to be deeply affected by their loss.

"I would like to pay tribute to Alex’s family, for their dignity and assistance throughout the entire investigation.

“Following Alex’s death Gloucestershire Constabulary has conducted a lengthy and thorough investigation, together with colleagues from the Health and Safety Executive.

"We have subsequently worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to bring this case, which is the first of its kind, to court.

“As a result of our investigation we found that the company – Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings Limited, had a cavalier attitude towards health and safety.

"The way CGH taught and supervised junior engineers was inherently dangerous and the methods of working were outdated.

“We are satisfied the trial has resulted in a guilty verdict as Alex’s family may now be able to move forward - knowing that someone has ultimately been found responsible for his untimely death."