Sellafield worker assaulted colleague during row over warning light

David Barwise, 50, who was originally charged with the “intentional strangulation” of his colleague, later told police that a metaphorical "red mist" had descended causing him to “lose his cool,”

At Carlisle Crown Court, Barwise admitted common assault.

Prosecutor Andrew Evans outlined the facts. He said that the bust-up happened as the defendant and the victim were both working a night shift in a control room at the nuclear plant on October 26 last year.

During the shift, said Mr Evans, the defendant’s colleague noticed that a warning light relating to a particular valve had come on.

“He went to inspect the valve and noticed that Mr Barwise had already done the same but instead of closing it, as he should have done, he had opened it further,” said Mr Evans.

Returning to the control room, the worker confronted Barwise, but he denied being responsible for opening the valve further. When his colleague asked him to “own up,” he refused to admit making an error.

During this exchange, Barwise suddenly jumped out of his seat and attacked his colleague, said Mr Evans.

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The victim felt the defendant’s hands around his throat, his thumbs pressing into his neck. Another worker who was in the room managed to stop the attack – by shouting at both men and telling Barwise to “get off him.”

“It had the required effect,” said Mr Evans.

“He did get off him; [the victim] then contacted the on-site police to explain what had happened.

"Mr Barwise told the [police] officer he’d effectively lost his cool and it was the officer or Mr Barwise who came up with “red mist” as a description.”

When charged with “intentional strangulation”, Barwise pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted in self-defence. But he accepted he was guilty of an assault by beating and pleaded guilty to that offence.

The strangulation charge was not proceeded with after the prosecution accepted the guilty plea to the lesser offence.

In a statement, the victim said he was more affected by the prosecution proceedings than by the assault, though he did feel it necessary to see a Sellafield nurse and said he had to take pain killers.

The man reported suffering “red marks”, but there were no photos of these.

Anthony Parkinson, for Barwise, said the defendant had worked for Sellafield for 23 years but was immediately suspended after the assault. It was a good job with a good salary, but after disciplinary proceedings were completed, the defendant’s employment was terminated on May 26.

Since then, Barwise had relied heavily on his savings, now dried up, and as a result his rented accommodation was in jeopardy until he finds new work.

“He’s already started the application process for a number of jobs, including working as a train driver,” said the barrister. 

Commenting that the incident was short-lived, and that the victim, while distressed, had suffered "little if any physical injury,”  Mr Parkinson added that the proceedings had been difficult for Barwise.

Recorder Julian Shaw told Barwise, of West Strand, Whitehaven: “You are coming up 51 and you find yourself in the crown court, having lost your job as a result of a moment of madness. That moment’s madness occurred on October 26 when you were on a night shift with a colleague.

“You had responsibility to ensure that valves and safety equipment were kept under review; it appears, for whatever reasons, you failed to act in accordance with your responsibilities.”

His colleague had pointed this out in an “entirely sensible and reasonable manner,” but Barwise lost his cool, said the judge. “The red mist descended, and you attacked him,” added the Recorder.

Considering all matters, including the consequences for Barwise in losing his job, the delay in the case concluding, and the short duration of the assault, Recorder Shaw imposed an 18-month conditional discharge.

That means there will be no punishment provided the defendant stays out of trouble for duration of the sentence.