Leisure club punished for safety failings after death of three-year-old boy

Leeds City Council has successfully prosecuted David Lloyd Leisure Ltd following the death of a young child.

After David Lloyd Leisure Club pleaded guilty to charges against the Health and Safety at Work Act, it was fined £2.55m and ordered to pay £258,355.80 in costs at Leeds Crown Court.

The prosecution initiated by the council followed an investigation by its own environmental health team into the death of a three-year-old boy as a result of drowning, at the David Lloyd Leisure Club, in Moortown, Leeds.

Health and safety inspectors identified inadequate lifeguarding arrangements at the club over a number of years leading up to the tragedy.

The investigation found David Lloyds Leisure had been exposing club members to risks contrary to Section 33(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, between September 1, 2015, and April 22 2018 in the David Lloyd Leisure Club.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, council executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “I would like to begin by offering the council’s sincere condolences to the Wright family. This tragic story underlines the importance for employers and duty holders to ensure the safety of their employees and customers is a priority.

“I would also like to thank the council’s environmental health and legal teams, and the barristers from St Paul’s Chambers for their dedication and hard work to ensure David Lloyd Leisure Ltd were held accountable for their failings.

“The council will always look to work with and support businesses to meet their legal duties. However, we won’t hesitate to take enforcement action in cases of serious and prolonged noncompliance.”