Drowned woman on 'crowded' boat

Janice Ward was a co-owner of the boat

A Birmingham woman drowned because the pleasure boat she was travelling on was overloaded, a court has been told.

Jane Turner, from Castle Bromwich, was one of 16 people on board the "Sweetie Pie" when it overturned at the Stourport-on-Severn festival in 2003.

The other passengers either swam to the river bank or were hauled to safety.

Ruth Pearson, 39, Thomas Prescot, 48, and 42-year-old Janice Ward appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday accused of manslaughter.

'Criminal negligence'

Ms Pearson, of St Georges Terrace, Kidderminster; Mr Prescot, of George Street, also Kidderminster; and Ms Ward, of Worcester Road, Stourport, all deny the charge.

The court heard that failed attempts were made to rescue 45-year-old Ms Turner, who worked for the Inland Revenue, but she was trapped in the cabin of the 20ft cruiser.

Ms Pearson, Ms Ward and Mr Prescot, the court was told, were co-owners of the boat and had been hosting a boat-warming party to celebrate its purchase.

Prosecutor Philip Shears QC, accused the three of "criminal negligence": "There were no less than 16 people on that small vessel which in due course overturned then shortly afterwards sank like a stone trapping Jane Turner in the small cabin where she met her death."

Life jackets

He said they had failed to heed warnings that the craft was overloaded and at one point a 12-year-old boy was even given the helm.

He added there were only one or two life jackets on board.

Mr Shears told the court the boat's previous owners had only ever carried six or seven people on it because of its size.

He said a Severn Area Rescue Association boat had pulled alongside the craft to ask whether those aboard thought the boat was overloaded.

Rescuers tried to reach Mrs Turner and eventually used a hammer to smash the front window of the cabin.

Mr Shears said throughout police interviews the defendants said they had not felt in charge of proceedings.

The trial continues.