Account

The Actual News

Just the Facts, from multiple news sources.

Paddleboard firm owner who caused four deaths has bid to cut sentence refused

Paddleboard firm owner who caused four deaths has bid to cut sentence refused

Summary

A woman who owned a paddleboard company was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for causing the deaths of four people in dangerous river conditions in Wales. Her request to reduce the sentence was denied by the Appeal Court.

Key Facts

  • Four people died paddleboarding on the Western Cleddau river in Wales in October 2021.
  • The victims were Paul O'Dwyer, Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers, and Nicola Wheatley.
  • Nerys Bethan Lloyd, 39, a former police officer, pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter.
  • Lloyd was jailed in April 2025 for 10 years and six months.
  • Lloyd and co-instructor O'Dwyer were not qualified to lead the paddleboarding tour.
  • The river was in flood with strong currents due to heavy rain before the incident.
  • The court described the safety precautions as "abysmal".
  • The Appeal Court judges ruled the sentence was fair given the number of victims.
Read the Full Article

This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.