Paddleboard Firm Owner Fails to Cut Sentence for Four Deaths

A former paddleboard firm owner has been refused permission to appeal her sentence for causing the deaths of four people during a disastrous excursion. Three judges at the Appeal Court rejected arguments that her 10-year, six-month jail term was excessive. Lady Justice May stated the trial judge's sentencing was proportionate, considering the number of victims. The court had previously heard that the owner, who possessed both police and RNLI training, was unqualified to lead the tour. Mrs Justice Stacey had criticized the "abysmal" approach to health and safety, noting that neither the owner nor a co-instructor were qualified. The group of seven participants set off on October 30, 2021, despite heavy rain and flood conditions. Tragically, three participants and a co-instructor died along with the fourth participant who later died in hospital. The court was shown images of a weir the group attempted to navigate, with prosecution describing "immense turbulence." The judge also highlighted that unsuitable ankle leashes and a lack of wetsuits contributed to the fatalities, with one participant not wearing a life jacket. No safety briefing was given, and the owner did not have next of kin details for the participants.

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the sentence was "manifestly excessive"