Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd faces corporate manslaughter charges following the 2019 ceiling collapse at Pontins Brean Sands that led to the death of a guest. The case highlights serious safety failings and will be tried at Bristol Crown Court.
A significant court case has emerged involving the parent company of Pontins holiday parks, Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd, which faces charges of corporate manslaughter. This follows a serious incident from February 2019 at the Brean Sands resort in Somerset, where part of a ceiling collapsed, injuring eighteen guests.
The collapse occurred inside an entertainment area known as the Fun Factory, when a 40-metre section of structural ducting and ceiling fell. Among those injured was 68-year-old grandmother Wendy Jones, who was hospitalised due to the incident. Tragically, she passed away in August 2019, prompting legal scrutiny regarding the circumstances surrounding her death.
Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd is accused of gross negligence in its duty of care. The charges specify that the company "managed and organised its activities in such a way so as to cause the death of Wendy Jones," exposing her to life-threatening risks linked to the fallen ducting, which was located at height within the holiday resort.
In addition to the corporate charge against the company, Stephen Bennison, aged 59, of Farington, Lancashire, has been charged under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The accusation claims he failed to ensure the safety of non-employees while carrying out contracting work related to sound-prodding in the same premises. Specifically, he is alleged to have not safeguarded members of the public, including Jones, from risks associated with overloaded ductwork.
Both defendants appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court, where District Judge Lynne Matthews decided to transfer the case to Bristol Crown Court for trial, with their next appearance scheduled for 9 June. Neither party entered a plea to the charges during the court proceedings. Bennison has been released on unconditional bail.
The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that they responded to reports of the collapsed ducting, highlighting that the fall had also exposed live damaged electrics in the area, raising further concerns over safety practices at the resort.
As the case proceeds through the legal system, it raises significant questions about corporate responsibility and health and safety compliance within commercial operations.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative covers a legal case initiated by a specific incident in February 2019 (with subsequent death in August 2019), but at the time of the narrative, the case is described as ongoing, with the next court appearance scheduled for a future date. While the original incident is not recent, the legal proceedings remain active. No signs of recycled news from earlier articles or obvious press release duplication detected.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
There are no direct, attributed quotes from named individuals in the narrative. The details provided (such as court actions, charges, and dates) are factual and verifiable. The lack of unattributed or uncorroborated quotes increases confidence in the narrative’s originality.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a regional news outlet (Irish News) covering UK events. While not a global leader, it is recognised within its region and is regularly cited as a credible news provider. Lack of major international corroboration slightly limits certainty, but the narrative does not appear sensationalist or unreliable.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims are plausible and consistent with established facts about the incident, court procedures, and health and safety law. The narrative details specific legal charges, court dates, and public safety concerns that align with known practices.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents a plausible, well-structured account of ongoing legal proceedings following a documented incident. The information is detailed, verifiable, and consistent with established facts, supported by the reputable regional news outlet. No evidence of fabrication, recycling, or major discrepancy found.
