Mark Watson KC prosecutes gross negligence manslaughter case concerning death of four paddleboarders

Following a two day sentencing hearing before Mrs Justice Stacey, a paddleboarding instructor and tour guide, who led a party of paddleborders to their deaths as they went over a weir in Haverfordwest, has been sentenced to a total of 10 years and 6 months imprisonment in respect of four offences of gross negligence manslaughter and a related health and safety offence.

Three participants on the paddleboard tour on the River Cleddau on 30 October 2021 drowned after becoming trapped in the dangerous towback in the weir; in addition, the defendant’s co-instructor also lost his life after he attempted to rescue the trapped participants in the weir.

The defendant had pleaded guilty to all charges at an earlier hearing.

Mark Watson KC prosecuted the case, instructed by Lisa Rose of CPS Specialist Crime Division, following a complex and challenging investigation by South Wales Police.

The case was reported widely in the media and the sentencing remarks were televised … https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpdz8jlqzvxo