Footballer died 'after safety breaches'

Mr Bolangi was a rising star in Charlton's youth team

An Army staff sergeant has admitted breaching health and safety rules which led to the death of a talented young footballer.

But physical training corps instructor Dean May, 35, from Queen's Avenue, Aldershot, denies the manslaughter of Pierre Bolangi through gross negligence.

Mr Bolangi, 17, who was described by his club Charlton Athletic as "gifted", drowned as he tried to swim across a weed-infested pond during an army endurance run.

May, 35, who had earlier pleaded not guilty, admitted at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday his failure to take care of the health and safety of the players.

It's gone over in my mind and I can't understand how it happened

Sgt Dean May

During the five-day residential course in August last year, May took Mr Bolangi and 14 of his teammates through a pond on an endurance run.

Giving evidence in the witness box on Tuesday, May said he had made mistakes in preparing the run and spoke of his shock and disbelief at what unfolded.

Choking back tears, he said: "It's gone over in my mind and I can't understand how it happened."

Under water

He described how, as he led the group through Horse Pond, he looked back to see some of the boys splashing.

He initially thought it was playful until team coach David Burke cried for help.

May described how he managed to rescue two boys.

It was only after he had taken them safely to the bank that he saw Mr Bolangi was still in the water.

As he reached him Mr Bolangi slipped under the water out of sight.

Jury photos

He said: "Being unable to see or grab hold of him, I proceeded to go under the water, I tried to search for him, until exhaustion told me otherwise."

Explaining why he pleaded guilty to the breach of health and safety charge, he said he should not have allowed any of the group to swim.

May told the court that he had walked the route of the endurance course three days before the Charlton Athletic group had done the run and had personally waded through the pond on several occasions.

The jury was shown photos of May wading through the pond with water up to the height of the 6ft 3in sergeant's chest, which were taken last week.

The trial continues.