Judge halts quad bike tragedy case

4:13pm Wednesday 30th April 2008

THE former husband of Princess Anne was in court today to hear a judge halt a prosecution against his eventing company Equiland.

Captain Mark Philips firm and two of its directors, Timothy Clayton and Timothy Henson, were charged with failing to discharge a duty following the death of Chippenham teenager Daniel Brookman.

The charge related to the company's staff training policy for using all terrain vehicles commonly known as quad bikes.

Stroud District Council brought the charges against the firm and its two directors after 19-year-old Mr Brookman, of West Kington, died in a quad bike accident at Princess Anne's home in Gatcombe Park on August 7, 2005.

The teenager had been helping out at the Gloucestershire estate during the Festival of British Eventing, part organised by Equiland.

He was a passenger in the bike, which overturned and crushed him.

Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips gave evidence at Mr Brookman's inquest in 2006.

His death triggered a health and safety inspection into the company.

Today a judge at Bristol Crown Court found the prosecution to be unfair and that there should be no trial.

The prosecution now has until next Thursday to decide whether to appeal against the judge's ruling.

If there is no appeal, the case will be dismissed.