Coroner slams Scouts at inquest into Stockport teen's cliff death

The Scout Association is putting the lives of young people at risk, a coroner said as he discharged the jury in the inquest of a teenager who fell from a clifftop.

Ben Leonard, 16, suffered a serious head injury when he fell about 200ft (61m) at Great Orme in Llandudno while on a trip with the Reddish Explorer Scouts on August 26 2018.

On Friday, the fifth day of the inquest at Ruthin County Hall, assistant coroner for North Wales David Pojur discharged the jurors before they reached their conclusions.

He said the Scout Association failed to provide the court with the full information and "created a misleading impression''.

Concerns jury were mislead

Issuing a report to prevent future deaths, he said: "The lives of young people are being put at risk by the Scout Association's failure to recognise the inadequacies of their operational practice and the part this has played in the death of Ben.''

Discharging the jury, Mr Pojur said he was concerned that it had been "misled'' regarding evidence from the Scout Association's national safety manager, Jess Kelly, about the action taken after Ben's death in respect of the three Scout leaders - Sean Glaister, Gareth Williams and Mary Carr - who were on the trip with Ben.

In legal discussions about making a report for the prevention of future deaths, which took place once the jury had begun deliberations on Thursday afternoon, it emerged that the leaders had been put on restricted duties following Ben's death although that had not been revealed as part of the evidence before the jury.

He told jurors: "All of that means you haven't had the full picture and you can't assess the case and give a full conclusion in relation to this matter if you don't have all the evidence.''

Mr Pojur issued a report to prevent future deaths, to be sent to the Scout Association, which listed 20 concerns.

He said safety policies were not implemented and risk assessments were not carried out.

He said no instructions were given to the boys and there was no effective leadership for the group.

The court heard that Ben, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and two friends, Alex Jamieson, 15, and Christopher Gilbert, 16, had separated from the other Scouts and been unaccompanied by a leader when he fell from the cliff edge.

Mr Pojur said: "Each of the three leaders assumed the three boys were with one of the leaders when in fact they were not. They were on their own.''

Ben had camped at Betws-y-Coed the night before his death and the group had been due to climb Snowdon but went to Llandudno instead because of the weather conditions.

Ben's mother, Jackie Leonard, told the inquest the teenager had received his GCSE results three days before his death and had enrolled to study film and television at a college in Media City, Salford.

She said: "He was a wonderful boy and a fantastic son and brother.''

'This was a terrible event'

A spokesperson for the Scouts said they are taking the matter seriously and will be considering the coroner's concerns, before responding in detail.

"We were truly saddened by Ben's tragic death. This was a terrible event, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.

"The safety of young people is our number one priority. Following this tragic event, we have strengthened our policies and procedures to ensure young people can enjoy activities safely.

"As this case has not concluded, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this stage."

A second inquest, where the chief executive of the Scout Association is expected be called to give evidence, is due to take place on July 13.