Pontins’ parent company, Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd, is facing corporate manslaughter charges following a tragic ceiling collapse at its Brean Sands Holiday Park in Somerset. In February 2019, a 40-metre section of structural ducting and ceiling fell inside the Fun Factory entertainment area, injuring eighteen people. Among the injured was 68-year-old Wendy Jones, who later died in August 2019 due to injuries sustained in the incident.
The company is accused of gross negligence, having “managed and organised its activities in such a way as to cause the death of Wendy Jones.” The charge states that the company exposed guests to the risk of death from the collapse of overhead ventilation ducting while failing to fulfill its duty to ensure guest safety.
In addition, Stephen Bennison, a 59-year-old contractor from Farington, Lancashire, faces charges for failing to uphold health and safety duties during his work on the sound-proofing at Brean Sands. Bennison is accused of neglecting reasonable precautions to protect the public, including Wendy Jones, from the risks caused by overloaded ductwork.
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Both defendants appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court and were committed for trial at Bristol Crown Court, with their next hearing scheduled for June 9. Neither entered a plea. Bennison was granted unconditional bail. Following the collapse, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service reported the incident involved fallen ducting and ceiling sections with exposed live electrical components in the park’s bar area.