Industry news
Presenter denies park safety breach
Posted Thu, 05 Jul 2012
A TV presenter turned wildlife park owner sobbed in court again as she denied health and safety breaches which put a mother and her young child in hospital.
Celebrity interior designer Anna Ryder Richardson, 48, and her husband, Colin MacDougall, 46, each denied two separate breaches.
The couple will fight the accusations against them in a three-week trial due to start at Swansea Crown Court on November 12.
Ryder Richardson and her husband jointly run the Manor House Wildlife Park in St Florence, near Tenby, West Wales.
Their company, Manor House Wildlife Park Ltd, also denied two breaches of health and safety legislation.
The charges they face effectively amount to neglect of their responsibilities as officers of their joint company.
Ryder Richardson sobbed as the charges against her were read out at Swansea Crown Court after breaking down in tears at an earlier hearing.
Judge Keith Thomas set a date for a pre-trial review on September 21 to ensure preparations for the trial remain on schedule.
Both Ryder Richardson and her husband were released on unconditional bail.
The couple were charged with breaches of health and safety legislation following an accident at the wildlife park in August 2010.
Three-year-old Gruff Davies-Hughes suffered serious head injuries when a heavy branch fell on him during strong winds. He subsequently spent three days fighting for his life in intensive care. His mother suffered a head injury and fractures to her leg, pelvis, and arm.
Copyright Press Association 2012