THE owner of a building where a laundrette manager died from carbon monoxide poisoning is to stand trial next spring.

Caroline Whalley, 58, of Maidensworth Farm, Rape Close Lane in Gilling East, near Ampleforth, is accused of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure construction work could be carried out without risk to health and safety.

She owns the building in Wandsworth Road, Clapham, occupied by Taniya Dry Cleaners.

Whalley will stand trial next April, along with construction boss Keith Morris, 65, and his company 6699 Ltd, the Old Bailey heard yesterday.

Morris allegedly closed off a ventilation flue while building scaffolding at the building.

Muhammad Javid Butt, the manager of the laundrette, died on October 5, 2013, from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Morris, his construction firm 6699 Ltd, and Whalley are all due to face trial over the death.

The builder is facing a gross negligence manslaughter charge, while all three defendants are accused of breaches under Health and Safety legislation.

The case was heard yesterday morning by Judge Paul Worsley QC and the trial date was set for April 18 next year.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson said: "The deceased was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of scaffolding being built over the flue.

"The scaffolding was built by Mr Morris, the property was owned by Ms Whalley, and 6699 Limited were working for Ms Whalley to do the renovation."

None of the defendants was required to attend yesterday's hearing, but they are due back in court on December 9 for a plea and case management hearing.

They were summonsed to appeared in court in September to face the charges for the first time.

The trial is due to last up to three weeks.

Morris, of Ackland House, Beckenham, is accused of gross negligence manslaughter and failure to take reasonable care of an employee under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

6699 Limited, which is registered to Ravenbury Avenue, in Morden, southwest London, is accused of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act by failing to ensure employees are not exposed to risk.

No pleas have been entered to any of the charges.