Fairground inspector found guilty over deaths on ride

A self-employed fairground inspector faces jail today after being convicted of the manslaughter of two people when a ride collapsed.

Barry Ramsey, 52, of Wickford, Essex, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Narelle Cozens, 28, an Australian back-packer, and her friend Michael Lawrence, 24.

They were fatally injured on a bank holiday Monday in May 2000 when a car flew off the Supertrooper ride at an annual fun fair in Shepherd's Bush Green, west London. Their friend, David Johnston, 24, of Nottingham, was badly hurt.

Ramsey, who had denied the charges at the Old Bailey, was also convicted of two Health and Safety breaches and was remanded in custody overnight by the Recorder of London, Judge Hyam. The jury is considering a verdict on the ride owner, Darren Jones, 34, of Chertsey, Surrey, who denies one health and safety offence.

David Farrer QC, for the prosecution, told the court that the 18-year-old ride was a danger because of rust and metal fatigue. The "disastrous defects" should have been spotted when Ramsey inspected it three weeks earlier.

Mr Farrer said the car had sheared off in two places. He said: "It flew across the fairground, it struck a kiosk and came – no doubt with very great force – to the ground. Its three occupants were trapped within it."

An inspection showed signs of deterioration to the remaining 11 cars, he said. Mr Farrer added: "The defects which directly led to this tragedy were not isolated. The whole number of seats clearly showed evidence of similar problems."

Ramsey told the court he had not seen the defects during his inspection. He was a heating and plumbing engineer who had moved into the area of fairground safety by chance. The Health and Safety Executive said fairgrounds were one of the safest areas under its authority.