Inspector jailed for negligence (From Barry And District News)

Inspector jailed for negligence

A SAFETY inspector, whose negligence caused a children's railway in Barry to come off its tracks, has been found guilty of manslaughter for a similar charge.

Barry Ramsey, 52, of 151 Swan Lane, Wickford, Essex, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of the manslaughter of Australian Narelle Cozens, and her boyfriend Michael Lawrence, 24, on May 27, 2000

And also of failing to ensure the Super Trooper's ride at Valentine Park, Ilford, Essex, on May 5, and on May 24 at Watford, Herts, did not expose others to risk.

The Old Bailey heard how Ramsey, who was subsequently sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, had flouted Health and Safety Regulations on two previous occasions.

On November 29, 1999, he was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,500 in costs by Barry Magistrates Court in connection with an inadequate inspection of a children's railway, which became derailed in August 1988.

And in March 2000, he received a one year suspended prison sentence by Dorking Magistrates Court, later reduced to a conditional discharge on appeal, when he failed to spot a defect in a Cyclone Thrust ride, operating in Leatherhead, Surrey.

Ramsey's involvement in the Barry case caused serious concern across the town at the time. Parents watched in horror when the popular children's ride, situated on King Square, left the tracks.

Youngster Jacob Briscombe, of Romilly Road, was sitting in the front of the train when it sped up causing the final carriage to leave the track. Jacob was not physically injured, but was visibly shaken and upset.

The Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation. They later prosecuted Ramsey and owner Henry Scarrott.

Scarrott denied the accusation, but Ramsey pleaded guilty to failing to undertake his work in such a way that others were not exposed to a risk to their health and safety. Ramsey had inspected the ride three months previously and given it the all-clear but investigators found that the ride could not be stopped due to damage to an insulated cable.

Both men were fined £2,000, plus £1,500 costs.