Sergeant 'scapegoat' for pond death

Physical training course instructor Dean May, 35, was fined £1,500 after being found guilty of the manslaughter of Pierre Bolangi through gross negligence.

May had told Pierre and fellow youth players from Charlton Athletic to cross a weed-infested pond following a 40-minute endurance run.

But 17-year-old Pierre drowned during the exercise at the Aldershot Army School of Physical Training.

Sentencing May at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, Mr Justice Michael Turner said he believed the Army had made him a scapegoat for its own failures to take adequate health and safety precautions.

The Army could not be held responsible because it was immune from prosecution.

Mr Justice Turner said: "I am satisfied that you had insufficient appreciation of risk because of the manner in which you had been trained or not trained as the case was."

The court had heard how May, of Aldershot, Hampshire, was instructing the young players on a residential course in August 2000.

He had tried to save Pierre when he got into difficulties during the swim but failed to find him when he disappeared underwater.

Speaking for the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant Col Harry Scott said that the judge's comments would be "given the most careful attention at the highest level" to prevent similar accidents in the future.

He said: "The Army will now hold an inquiry that will examine the wider issues surrounding the case as well as considering individual actions, and the results of this internal review will be communicated to Pierre Bolangi's family.

"The Horse Pond at Aldershot was placed out of bounds for all training and suitable warning notices were erected soon after this tragic accident."

Sad day

He added that it would be possible for May to remain with the Army.

Pierre's guardian Murphy Iyeli welcomed the verdict but said it was a sad day for the family. He said: "It's a fair verdict and at least the family know that someone is responsible for Pierre's death and we can put it behind us."

He added that he would be taking legal advice about whether to pursue a civil action against May.

He said: "The conviction is more important than the sentence.

"There's no amount on Pierre's life."

May had admitted breaching health and safety rules which led to the death of the talented young footballer but he denied the charge of manslaughter through gross negligence.