Two owners of a lake where a teenager died in a tragic jet ski accident face trial after denying breaching health and safety regulations.

Michael Ely, 35, of Behoes Lane, Woodcote, Reading, and Gareth Booth, of Queenford Lake, Burcot Lane, Dorchester, both denied 23 charges of breaching the Health and Safety at Work regulations. A plea of not guilty on behalf of their company, Lake Estates Watersports Ltd, was also entered.

A fourth defendant, Stuart Ely, 32, of Millcourt, Cholsey, did not enter a plea.

Faye Grundy, 17, from Benson, died in August 1997 when she was thrown from the jet ski into a speedboat propeller at Queenford Lake.

The defendants face a number of charges in relation to safety at the lake.

These include failing to identify the safety risk posed by the fact that power boats could cross a line of marker buoys intended to separate the lake into two areas; that the white marker buoys were not clearly visible and that it was difficult for users of the lake to stay within their area.

The charges against the defendants run from 1995 to 1997.

The case was adjourned until March 12, when an application will be made by the defence for a change of court for trial.

Story date: Saturday 27 February

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