Scout’s death fall ‘was not unlawful killing’, says QC
HEARING BEGINS AHEAD OF INQUEST INTO TRAGEDY AT BEAUTY SPOT
THERE is no evidence that the death of a boy scout in a 200ft-fall at a beauty spot amounted to unlawful killing, a barrister said.
The lawyer, who is representing three Scout leaders, made the statement at a pre-inquest hearing into the death of 16-year-old Benjamin Leonard, from Stockport, at the Great Orme in North Wales.
North Wales East and Central assistant coroner David Pojur said: “Nobody is on trial, not least the leaders.”
However, he suggested there was a potential issue and the safest course would be for them to have individual legal representation.
Benjamin, from Thornley Road North, died in August 2018 after slipping on the headland at Llandudno.
He and two friends had become detached from other members of the Reddish Explorer’s Group before the fall.
Coroner Mr Pojur will consider whether a new ‘prevention of future deaths’ report is required. He has already made public a report highlighting 20 points of concern.
The coroner had claimed safety policies existed but weren’t implemented and he warned that the
Nobody is on trial, not least the leaders North Wales East and Central assistant coroner David Pojur
Scout Association had put youngsters’ lives “at risk.” Oliver Campbell QC, for the Scout leaders, said there was unlikely to be any evidence that would allow a conclusion of unlawful killing.
Toby Riley-Smith QC, representing the Scout Association, said it had produced 1,933 documents for the coroner. The barrister told the coroner the Association was taking a “transparent approach.”
He added: “We need to regain your trust and the trust of the family.”
Mr Pojur said: “It’s not an inquiry into the Scout Association.”
Previously, Mr Pojur said he would have to consider the individual roles of the Scout leaders as well as the responsibility of the Scout Association.
It included planning of the trip and training of the leaders.
The full inquest is due to begin on November 2. The Leonard family will also be represented by a QC.