Two brothers have been convicted over the death of a young jet-skier in an accident at their watersports centre.

A jury of nine women and three men decided Stuart and Michael Ely failed to make sure the centre was safe for its users.

Faye Grundy - nicknamed Smiley because she was so cheerful - died a week after her 17th birthday.

She went to Queenford Lake watersports centre in Berinsfield with her family for a day out to celebrate her sister Gemma's 15th birthday. She was riding on the back of a jet-ski driven by her uncle, Tony Gee, when she was pitched into the water and run over by a powerboat.

The schoolgirl from Benson - who had just won a place at college to study beauty therapy - went under the boat and was caught by its spinning propeller. Her mother and sister watched the tragedy from the bank.

Prosecuting, Lord Thomas of Gresford claimed it was an "accident waiting to happen".

Northampton Crown Court heard the Ely brothers failed to carry out a proper safety check. Jet-skis and powerboats travelling in the opposite direction were separated by a line of three white buoys, which were difficult to see in choppy water. Novices were allowed on the water after "perfunctory" instruction lasting no more than 20 minutes, the court heard. Once on the water, they had to navigate a difficult right turn at a spot where they could be distracted from the bank.

Faye's 37-year-old uncle had never been on a jet-ski before, yet he was allowed to give a ride to Faye - also a novice.

The fatal accident occurred when he crossed the line of buoys from the jet-ski zone into the area reserved for powerboats.

The brothers denied seven charges brought under health and safety legislation by South Oxfordshire District Council that they failed to ensure Faye's safety or carry out a proper risk assessment. Stuart Ely, of Millcourt, Cholsey, who owns the watersports centre, was found guilty on three counts and his company, Lakes Estates Watersports, guilty on two.

His brother Michael, 36, of Woodcote, near Reading - who ran the jet-ski hire business which has since closed down - was found guilty on three counts.

The two men face substantial fines. Sentencing was adjourned by Judge Anthony King for financial inquiries to be made.

Their father Ron, a 63-year-old yachtmaster, said his sons faced ruin. "The legal costs so far have cost £m. There's no way we can afford to appeal. I can't see how they can go on after this. The case has been a terrible drain on them. "As far as the family is concerned, they did everything to make sure the lake was safe. No-one could have foreseen that someone would be silly enough not to listen fully to the instructions and ride across the line of buoys."

A third man, 32-year-old Gareth Booth, of Queenford Lake, Berinsfield, was acquitted on two charges. A serving member of the RAF, he runs the water-ski business at the lake and was driving the speedboat.

After the hearing, he said: "This case should never have come to court." *See Features

Story date: Tuesday 30 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.