Caxton: Prosecution After Death At Kart Track

20 March 2013, 11:21 | Updated: 20 March 2013, 11:37

South Cambridgeshire District Council says alleged health and safety breaches by Peterborough Raceway Ltd will be considered by a Crown Court, after the death of a teenage girl at Caxton go-kart track.

18 year old Suzanne Cornwell was seriously hurt when a scarf she was wearing became trapped in the engine of a go-kart during an out of hours session at the track in Royston Road, run at the time by Peterborough Raceway Ltd, in December 2009.

She was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge but later died.

South Cambridgeshire District Council is taking action against the company operating the track at the time, together with company secretary Philip Meakins and manager Paul Shinn, over alleged breaches in health and safety legislation after a lengthy police investigation and subsequent coroner's inquest. 

At a preliminary hearing before Cambridge Magistrates' Court on Thursday (14 March) both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges under section 3 of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and regulation 3 of the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999. 

Mr Meakins also pleaded not guilty to the same charges on behalf of the company. 

According to South Cambridgesire District Council, Magistrates will formally commit the case to the Crown Court at a hearing listed for Thursday 2 May on the basis that they do not have adequate sentencing powers. 

Councillor Sue Ellington, South Cambridgeshire District Council's cabinet member with responsibility for public health, said: "This was a tragic accident and our thoughts remain with the family at this difficult time. 

We will be continuing to work with them as we proceed with the legal process."