Peter Clifford, once just an ordinary name in Felixstowe, is now making headlines for all the wrong reasons. After failing to appear in court multiple times, Clifford, 62, has finally been arrested in the quiet stretch of Aberdeenshire — ending a near four-year search linked to the tragic death of a young construction worker.
A Fatal Day on Haughgate Close
Dale Baker never made it home that December day in 2020. He was only 30, a construction worker from Felixstowe, just like Clifford once was.
He’d been working on renovations at a house on Haughgate Close in Woodbridge when things went terribly wrong. Serious injuries. Emergency services scrambled. But for Baker, there was nothing more they could do.
One sentence. That’s all it takes to break a family forever.
Clifford’s Charges and Vanishing Act
It wasn’t just the manslaughter charge. Clifford faced two separate counts for failing to uphold his duties as an employer under health and safety law. Those are hefty accusations for any boss.
He was formally charged in October last year. But instead of showing up to face the consequences, he just… disappeared.
People in Felixstowe talked. Rumours swirled. Some thought he’d gone abroad. Others said he was hiding in plain sight. Nobody guessed he’d be holed up hundreds of miles away in the Scottish countryside.
How Police Scotland Closed In
Tracking Clifford down wasn’t easy. He’d left behind more than a paper trail — he’d left an entire grieving family. Suffolk Police had been looking for him for months.
Then came the break they needed. Police Scotland officers found him at an address in Aberdeenshire. No dramatic standoff. No car chase through the Highlands. Just a quiet knock on a door that changed everything.
He looked worn out. Mugshot shows an expressionless face, mostly bald, white t-shirt. No signs of the man who once ran a building site.
What Happens Next?
Now that he’s back in custody, Clifford won’t be sightseeing up north for long. Suffolk Police confirmed he’ll be transported south. He’ll appear before the next available court.
A spokesperson said, basically, the wheels are already in motion. They want this case back in front of a judge. For Dale Baker’s family, that’s a glimmer of the accountability they’ve waited so long for.
The Bigger Picture: Workplace Safety Failures
This isn’t just about one man evading justice. It shines a harsh light on safety in Britain’s construction industry.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there were 45 fatal injuries to workers in construction across the UK in 2022/23 — the highest number of any sector.
A single mistake, a lapse in judgment — it can cost a life.
Here’s what the HSE’s latest figures say:
| Year | Fatal Injuries (Construction) | Total UK Workplace Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | 39 | 142 |
| 2021/22 | 30 | 123 |
| 2022/23 | 45 | 135 |
One life lost is always one too many.
Felixstowe Reacts: Shock and Relief
People back in Felixstowe can’t quite believe Clifford’s been found. Locals who remember the incident say it left a scar on the town’s building trade.
Some knew Dale. Young, hardworking, a good bloke by all accounts. His family have stayed mostly private, but friends say they never gave up hoping for justice.
The arrest has stirred up old wounds but brought relief too. One neighbour said they “just want this nightmare to be over.”
Lessons For Small Builders Everywhere
Small contractors sometimes cut corners. Money’s tight, deadlines loom, and paperwork feels like a nuisance. But when safety slips, tragedies happen.
The Clifford case reminds small businesses:
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Health and safety rules are there for a reason
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Failure to follow them can land you behind bars
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Dodging court doesn’t erase what happened
Simple points, yet they get ignored until it’s too late.
What Police Are Saying
Suffolk Police haven’t said much beyond confirming the arrest. But their message is clear: you can run, but you can’t hide forever. Especially not when a young man’s life was cut short.
They’re expected to share updates once Clifford appears before magistrates. Right now, he remains in police custody somewhere in Aberdeenshire, waiting for that long trip back south.
It’s a long road back for his victim’s family too. They’ve waited years. They’ll likely wait longer for the legal system to do its thing. But at least now, they know the man accused won’t be disappearing again any time soon.
