Pub chain to go on trial in relation to student’s death
THE UK’s largest pub chain will go to trial over alleged health and safety breaches following the death of a Durham University student outside one of its nightclubs.
Olivia Burt, 20, was fatally injured when a decorative fence collapsed outside the Missoula bar in Durham in February 2018.
Stonegate Pub Company is now being prosecuted by Durham County Council over four alleged breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The pub chain is alleged to have failed to ensure the health and safety of those not in its employment and failing to ensure the suitability of work equipment used.
Yesterday the company appeared at Durham Crown Court, where not guilty pleas were entered. Prosecutor Jamie Hill QC said a trial which could last as long as four weeks and involve up to 33 witnesses would need to take place.
Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, told the court that the date of the trial is yet to be fixed.
Another hearing will go ahead within the next two weeks at which a trial date will be scheduled.
Ms Burt’s parents, Nigel and Paula Burt, attended the proceedings via video link.
Ms Burt was a member of the British sailing team, grew up in Milfordon-Sea, Hampshire, and had been head girl of Bournemouth School for Girls.
She was in her first year of a natural sciences degree when she died.