Graham Mackrell fined over Hillsborough disaster turnstile arrangements
Monday 13 May 2019 12:02, UK
Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell, 69, has been fined £6,500 at Preston Crown Court for a health and safety offence related to turnstile arrangements on the day of the Hillsborough disaster.
Ninety-six Liverpool fans died following the crush in the central pens of the Leppings Lane terrace at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989, after exit gates to the ground were opened to relieve a build-up of crowds outside.
Mackrell, who was also safety officer for Sheffield Wednesday at the time of the 1989 Hillsborough FA Cup semi-final, was also ordered to pay £5,000 towards the prosecution costs.
The 69-year-old was found guilty by a jury last month of failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act in respect of ensuring there were enough turnstiles to prevent unduly large crowds building up outside the ground.
The former club secretary, wearing a suit with blue shirt and purple tie, sat in the well of the court rather than the dock for the hearing.
About half a dozen family members sat in the public gallery and nine members of the press were in court for the hearing, with others watching from an annex.
Three members of the jury returned to court for the sentencing.
