TOPSHOP has been convicted of health and safety failings after a schoolboy was crushed to death by a 17-stone queue barrier in a Berkshire store.
Both the brand and Arcadia Group, which are owned by Sir Philip Green, face a huge pay-out following the death of Kaden Reddick at the branch in Reading.
The youngster, 10, died just six days after a little girl suffered a skull fracture when she was hit by a falling display barrier in Glasgow.
And while her injury should have been a "grim warning", there was "no urgency" when it came to investigating safety until Kaden was killed, it was heard.
Kaden - described as "the sweetest boy" by his devastated family - suffered fatal head injuries after swinging on the separator on February 13, 2017.
He and his siblings, mum and grandmother had been to see a film at the Oracle shopping centre before the family decided to stop off at Topshop for jeans.
An inquest later heard that as his grandmother paid for her new clothes, she heard a "smack", and turned to see Kaden on the floor with the barrier on top of him.
Following a ten-week trial and four days of deliberations, jurors at Reading Crown Court found the Arcadia Group and Topshop guilty of safety breaches today.
The barrier's fitters, Stoneforce, had already admitted the charges, while manufacturers Realm were cleared of blame.
Prosecutor James Ageros QC told jurors the barrier was fixed with "only two screws, more suitable for hanging pictures on a wall".
"At no point during that process did anyone calculate what loads it would need to withstand in a busy shopping environment and to keep it secure on the floor," he said.
"It wasn't just confined to the Reading store - the incident barrier was not a one-off.
"Another barrier in the same shop was wholly unstable and could have tipped over in the same way at any time.
"Other barriers in other Topman and Topshop stores were unstable and also presented the risk of collapse."
Arcadia and Topshop plunged into administration in November 2020.
Despite that, the court is likely to impose a severe financial penalty after the convictions for failing to discharge a health and safety duty under Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Sentencing was adjourned.
Following Kaden's death, his family released a moving tribute.
"Kaden was a loving, cheeky, energetic boy whose death will leave a huge empty hole in the lives of everybody that knew him," they said.
“Our house feels empty without him.
"He was also adventurous; loving to play outside on his bike, or with his friends in the woods.
"For us the saddest part of Kaden's death is that he will never be able to fulfil his potential.
"He was much loved by all of his family and friends, and will be hugely missed by his siblings, and everyone else who was touched by his warmth and love."
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