On a chilly evening in January 2016, a routine game of five-a-side football at the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth ended in unimaginable tragedy. Albert Xhediku, a 34-year-old taxi driver and passionate footballer, lost his life after receiving a fatal electric shock from a floodlight while retrieving a stray ball. Now, nearly a decade later, the company that operated the pitch at the time, Parkwood Community Leisure Ltd, faces criminal charges for failing to protect the public, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The events of January 17, 2016, remain etched in the memories of those who were present. Xhediku, described by his family as someone who "did everything with all his heart," had been playing with friends when the ball sailed out of play. Without hesitation, he climbed a fence to collect it—a gesture familiar to countless amateur athletes. But in a split second, what should have been a harmless act turned deadly. As he reached for the ball, Xhediku touched a floodlight, receiving a powerful electric shock.
His friends rushed to help, scaling the fence in a desperate attempt to pull him down. Tragically, they too suffered electric shocks in the process. Despite their efforts to resuscitate him, Xhediku was pronounced dead at the hospital later that evening. The loss devastated his family and the local community, who remembered him as a loving son and a dedicated big brother.
In a heartfelt statement shared after the tragedy, the Xhediku family said, "Albert was a guy who did everything with all his heart. Even when he was just playing football with his friends, he played like it was the championships. He was our big brother and a loving son." Their words capture not just the spirit of the man they lost, but also the senselessness of the incident that claimed his life.
The subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive was thorough and far-reaching. According to the BBC, Parkwood Community Leisure Ltd, which managed the Mountbatten Centre's pitches at the time of the incident, has been charged with failing to protect the public under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Specifically, the company is accused of failing to discharge its duty under section 3(1) of the Act—a provision that obligates employers and operators to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of non-employees affected by their activities.
A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive stated: "Parkwood Community Leisure Ltd has been charged with the following offence: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 [‘the Act’], failed to discharge the duty to which it was subject by virtue of section 3(1) of the Act." The company has been ordered to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on December 4, 2025, at 2pm for a first hearing before a District Judge, as reported by ITV News.
The charge itself is a stark reminder of the responsibilities held by companies that operate public leisure facilities. Under UK law, these operators must take all reasonable steps to prevent harm to members of the public. The fact that a floodlight—an everyday piece of equipment—could become lethally dangerous raises serious questions about maintenance, oversight, and safety protocols at the Mountbatten Centre at the time.
For many in Portsmouth, the case has revived painful memories and reignited concerns about safety at public sports venues. The Mountbatten Centre, located in the Hilsea area of the city, is a popular destination for local sports teams, families, and community groups. In the wake of Xhediku's death, there were calls for greater transparency and stricter safety checks at such facilities. While some improvements have reportedly been made in recent years, the upcoming court case is likely to refocus attention on whether enough has been done to protect the public from similar tragedies.
The legal proceedings will hinge on whether Parkwood Community Leisure Ltd met its obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Section 3(1) of the Act requires that "it shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety." In practical terms, this means that operators must regularly inspect and maintain equipment, identify potential hazards, and act swiftly to address any risks.
According to BBC News, the inquest into Xhediku's death previously heard that the fatal shock occurred when he touched a floodlight while climbing the fence. The precise cause of the electrical fault has not been detailed in public statements, but the fact that multiple people received shocks suggests a serious lapse in safety measures. The friends who tried to save Xhediku were themselves injured, underscoring the broader risk posed by faulty or poorly maintained infrastructure.
The upcoming court appearance by Parkwood Community Leisure Ltd is expected to draw significant public interest. For the Xhediku family, the proceedings represent a step toward accountability, though no legal outcome can bring Albert back. For others who use public leisure facilities, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance and robust safety practices.
While the legal process will ultimately determine whether Parkwood Community Leisure Ltd is held liable under the law, the tragedy has already prompted wider conversations about the responsibilities of companies entrusted with public safety. The Health and Safety Executive's decision to bring charges signals a commitment to upholding standards and ensuring that similar incidents are less likely in the future.
In the meantime, the memory of Albert Xhediku endures in the hearts of his family, friends, and all those who shared the pitch with him that night. His story is a poignant illustration of how quickly the ordinary can turn extraordinary—and how the pursuit of justice, though slow, is essential in the aftermath of loss.
As December 4 approaches, Portsmouth will be watching closely, hoping that the court's deliberations will bring answers, accountability, and perhaps some measure of closure to a tragedy that should never have happened.
