Carmel pub owners spared jail after woman's fatal fall

The owners of a Carmarthenshire pub where a woman suffered a fatal fall have been spared jail.

Olwen Collier died after plunging into the cellar of the Stag and Pheasant in Carmel while preparing for her daughter's birthday party.

Dim lighting, poor signage and unclear directions were all said to have led to the fall in January 2023.

Philip and Tracy Hawkins previously pleaded guilty to health and safety failings.

During sentencing on Monday, Swansea Crown Court heard how Mrs Collier had visited the pub with her family to decorate for her daughter's surprise birthday.

When she arrived she had been directed to the function room by Philip Hawkins, 49, who was working on his own while his wife Tracy, 53, was ill in bed.

However, she instead went through the door to the cellar which Hawkins, who had been moving gas canisters, had left unlocked and unlit.

Lee Reynolds, speaking for the prosecution, said Mrs Collier's grandson, who was with her on the day, tried to grab her as she slipped down the stairs but had been unable to keep hold.

Defending, Ian Ibrahim described the Hawkins, of Llandeilo Road in Carmel, as "broken people" as a result of the incident.

They had also admitted being guilty of failing to discharge general health and safety duty to a person other than an employee at the earliest opportunity.

Judge Paul Thomas described it as a "thoughtless error" which had led to "devastating consequences", but did not feel an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate.

He sentenced the pair to 18 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, with Phillip Hawkins, who he deemed more culpable, also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

The judge added: "What was meant to be a joyous family occasion turned into the saddest of events.

"A healthy and adored lady lost her life, leaving her family utterly bereft and inconsolable because you two did not take sufficient, even basic, care for the safety of your customers.

"It ought to have been impossible for a member of the public to enter that room and it was your responsibility to ensure that."