A MANCHESTER inquest jury has determined that 16-year-old Ben Leonard met an unlawful demise during a visit to Llandudno’s Great Orme in August 2018. The jury has held an explorer scout leader and his assistant responsible for the tragic incident, also pinpointing neglect on the part of The Scout Association as a contributing factor.
Hailing from Stockport, Greater Manchester, Ben Leonard was part of a group exploring the picturesque landscapes of the Great Orme. The unfortunate turn of events occurred when Ben and two other boys deviated from the main hike, embarking on an unsupervised route up the hillside. The jury’s findings highlight that the explorer scout leader and his assistant failed in their duty, resulting in the unlawful killing of the young scout.
The Scout Association, too, faces criticism as the jury identifies neglect on their part as a factor contributing to Ben Leonard’s untimely death. This revelation sheds light on potential shortcomings in safety protocols and supervision within the organization.
The tragic incident unfolded as Ben slipped off a narrow cliff edge, plummeting 200ft (60m) and succumbing to fatal head injuries. The heart-wrenching verdict serves as a somber reminder of the critical importance of adherence to safety measures and vigilant supervision in outdoor activities involving young individuals.
This developing news story will be continuously updated
