Wilko fined £2.2million after worker at budget chain crushed by metal cage and paralysed
Corisande Collins, 23, was trapped while working at stores in Leicester
BUDGET chain Wilko has been fined £2.2million after a worker was crushed by a metal cage full of paint and paralysed.
Part time student-worker Corisande Collins, 23, was trapped under the 35 stone cage while working at a store in Leicester in 2013.
The accident has left her with sever spinal injuries confined to a wheelchair with just a 1 per cent chance of walking again.
Corisande was in court with her mum Suzanne Collins, 56, and her sister Siobhan Aspley, 36, as the retail giant was fined.
Leicester Crown Court handed down the fine after the company admitted failing to ensure the health and safety of employees.
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Wilko will also pay costs of £70,835.91. after pleading guilty to four offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act
The court heard Corisande was a 20-year-old first year student at Northampton University when she was injured
At a previous hearing, Bernard Thorogood, prosecuting on behalf of Leicester City Council, said: "It was a truly life changing injury for Corisande and her family.
"The roll cage was off-loaded and as it came out the lift was higher than the landing and it toppled over the edge and it fractured her spine."
The court heard that before the tragedy, Corisande lived an "active outgoing life," had just passed her driving test and enjoyed taking her nephews and nieces to the park.
She returned part time to her university course 18 months after suffering her injury.
Corisande said previously: "I never imagined something like this happening to me.
"Wilko are taking full responsibility for what happened but this will never make up for the fact I've lost the use of my legs and will spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.
"Although my injuries are permanent, they will not stop me from achieving all I want to in life.
"I wouldn't be in the position I am without the support of my friends and family."
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