Work accident victim 'one of the kindest' people

Levi Alleyne was known as Chunks and Chunky to friends and family

A man who died after a company failed to adequately plan or monitor a job was “one of the kindest, most genuine and generous people,” his family said.

Levi Alleyne, 41, was killed after he raised his lorry's crane arm on to overhead power lines in Arborfield, Berkshire, in November 2020.

Reading-based BBM Contracts Ltd was fined £30,000 and told to pay £11,613.50 in compensation last week after it admitted a breach of health and safety regulations.

A coroner said “no warnings, verbal or visual” were given about the power lines.

An inquest in 2022 heard how Mr Alleyne, who was known to family and friends as Chunks and Chunky, was hired to deliver supplies to a building site in Swallowfield Road.

His family said the time since his death had been “absolutely horrendous”.

“The day Chunks died was truly the worst thing our family has ever gone through. We have been left absolutely devastated and will never recover. The pain from losing him is indescribable and the shock of that day will never leave us," they said.

“To us, Chunks was our protector, the one we would always turn to if we needed something. He made us feel loved and safe and was one of the kindest, most genuine and generous people that you would ever meet.

"He would do anything for his family and friends and would go out of his way for total strangers if they needed help."

Mr Alleyne founded the Southcote Colts children's football team and his family said he had a "massive impact" on people's lives.

BBM Contracts, based in Aldbourne Avenue, Earley, will pay £1,500 per month towards the £41,613.50 it was fined and told to pay in compensation from 18 July.

It pleaded guilty at Reading Magistrates’ Court ahead of its sentencing on 20 June.