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Fines after fairground ride smash Fines after fairground ride smash
(about 14 hours later)
The owner of a faulty fairground ride and an inspector have each been fined £2,000 after 10 people were hurt when it collapsed at an event in Suffolk.The owner of a faulty fairground ride and an inspector have each been fined £2,000 after 10 people were hurt when it collapsed at an event in Suffolk.
Owner Walter Shufflebottom, of South Ockendon, Essex, did not properly maintain it, Ipswich Crown Court heard.Owner Walter Shufflebottom, of South Ockendon, Essex, did not properly maintain it, Ipswich Crown Court heard.
The Hellraiser ride had been examined twice by Frederick Meakin of Fairground Inspection Services in Leicestershire.The Hellraiser ride had been examined twice by Frederick Meakin of Fairground Inspection Services in Leicestershire.
Both men admitted safety breaches over the incident at the Big Night Out in Long Melford in November 2007.Both men admitted safety breaches over the incident at the Big Night Out in Long Melford in November 2007.
Multiple injuriesMultiple injuries
Several cars on the Hellraiser ride - a ground-level spinning machine - came loose and crashed into each other, the court heard.Several cars on the Hellraiser ride - a ground-level spinning machine - came loose and crashed into each other, the court heard.
A 24-year-old woman suffered multiple injuries, including broken ribs and a knocked spine.A 24-year-old woman suffered multiple injuries, including broken ribs and a knocked spine.
The ride was riddled with defects arising from its age and from inadequate or botched running of the repairs Judge David GoodinThe ride was riddled with defects arising from its age and from inadequate or botched running of the repairs Judge David Goodin
Meakin, 51, of Five Counties Caravan Park, Stretton Road, Leicestershire, pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.Meakin, 51, of Five Counties Caravan Park, Stretton Road, Leicestershire, pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The independent safety examiner, who had given the 30-year-old ride a clean bill of health in 2006 and 2007, was also ordered to pay £1,000 costs.The independent safety examiner, who had given the 30-year-old ride a clean bill of health in 2006 and 2007, was also ordered to pay £1,000 costs.
His company, Fairground Inspection Services, admitted failing to carry out an adequate examination of the ride and was fined £8,000.His company, Fairground Inspection Services, admitted failing to carry out an adequate examination of the ride and was fined £8,000.
Shufflebottom, 62, of John's Way, who admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, was also ordered to pay £1,000 costs.Shufflebottom, 62, of John's Way, who admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, was also ordered to pay £1,000 costs.
A metal bar came off of the Hellraiser ride, causing cars to collideA metal bar came off of the Hellraiser ride, causing cars to collide
Sentencing, Judge David Goodin said the men "sacrificed safety for commercial gain". Sentencing, Judge David Goodin said the men did not sacrifice safety for commercial gain.
"It was a very serious accident and one which should have never occurred."It was a very serious accident and one which should have never occurred.
"The ride was riddled with defects arising from its age and from inadequate or botched running of the repairs."The ride was riddled with defects arising from its age and from inadequate or botched running of the repairs.
"Four months before the accident Mr Meakin declared the 30-year-old ride operational. Quite how he did remains something of a mystery.""Four months before the accident Mr Meakin declared the 30-year-old ride operational. Quite how he did remains something of a mystery."
Speaking after the hearing, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Martin Kneebone said: "This incident could have proved fatal.Speaking after the hearing, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Martin Kneebone said: "This incident could have proved fatal.
"The Hellraiser ride was in a very poor state of repair and should not have been operating at the event.""The Hellraiser ride was in a very poor state of repair and should not have been operating at the event."