A decorator trading in Shropshire has received a suspended prison sentence following the tragic and fatal electrocution of his trainee stepson near an overhead power line in Farndon. Daniel Watton, who operated under the business name Inside Out Painters and Decorators Property Maintenance, appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on October 6, 2026, where he faced prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Watton, 50, of Bean Bank, Wollerton, Market Drayton, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The court handed down a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Additionally, Watton was ordered to pay £10,645 in prosecution costs.
Incident Details and Investigation Findings
The fatal workplace incident occurred on July 29, 2024, at a domestic property in Farndon, near Chester. The victim was 24-year-old Connor Lambert, a trainee painter from Market Drayton who was working alongside his stepfather and a colleague on the exterior of the residential building.
According to the HSE investigation, Lambert and a coworker were moving a fully extended ladder at the gable end of the property. During this operation, the ladder either made direct contact with an overhead power line or came close enough for an electrical arc to form. Lambert died at the scene from his injuries, while his colleague sustained severe burns to his hands, feet, and stomach.
Investigators uncovered multiple systemic health and safety failures surrounding the job. Key findings revealed:
- The work at height had not been properly planned, appropriately supervised, or carried out safely.
- The equipment selected and the chosen methods of work were completely unsuitable for the task.
- Risks associated with working near overhead power lines were neither adequately assessed nor controlled.
- Deficiencies were identified regarding the training and overall competence of the individuals performing the work.
- Although an initial work plan outlined using a tower scaffold and ladders to paint the exterior-including a glass canopy section-this approach was unsafe and ultimately abandoned in practice, with unapproved and hazardous ladder use relied upon throughout the project.
Devastating Personal Impact on Family
The tragedy left a profound emotional toll on Connor Lambert’s family, who shared heartbreaking tributes during the legal proceedings. At the time of his death, Connor and his partner, Megan McCann, were expecting their first child together after trying to start a family for three years.
Connor was amazing. He had the cheekiest grin and would light up any room he was in – he was so funny. He was a caring person who always put everyone else first. He was very ambitious and he was an avid Arsenal fan, said Megan McCann.
Megan was 32 weeks pregnant and had just received a moses basket on the morning of the incident. Just minutes after speaking with Connor on the phone, she received the devastating news. She gave birth to their daughter 23 days later, ensuring the child grows up knowing her father.
Connor’s father, Craig West, also detailed the profound psychological impact the loss had on his life, explaining that the tragedy altered his temperament, outlook, and ability to find joy in daily work, noting that the accident was entirely preventable.
Regulatory Warnings and Safety Guidance
HSE inspector Keeley Eves emphasized the preventable nature of the incident, stressing that proper planning and control measures could have saved a young man’s life and allowed a father to meet his newborn daughter.
The HSE reiterates that working at height and operating near overhead power lines are exceptionally high-risk activities. Employers and sole traders are legally mandated to:
- Properly plan and supervise all necessary work at height operations.
- Select suitable and non-conductive equipment appropriate for the site environment.
- Identify overhead power line hazards during initial worksite surveys.
- Implement strict risk controls, such as isolating power supplies or maintaining mandated safe working distances.
- Ensure all workers are thoroughly trained, competent, and fully informed of site-specific hazards.
