The owner of a paddleboard company who caused the deaths of four people on a flooded river in south-west Wales, Nerys Bethan Lloyd, has been sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison
Paul O'Dwyer, Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers and Nicola Wheatley drowned while paddleboarding on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest in "extremely hazardous conditions" in October 2021
Lloyd, 39, earlier admitted gross negligence manslaughter - the court heard she did not have the correct qualifications
The judge, Mrs Justice Stacey, says the group had no safety briefing, four people had no wetsuits, and one had no life jacket
The judge also says the risks of weirs are "common knowledge" - and that Lloyd dismissed a possible safer route as "too boring"
Her lawyer tells the court Lloyd went down the fatal route as a "last resort", meaning the group came to a weir without instruction
Police bodycam footage shows Lloyd at the scene after the incident
Bodycam footage captures Nerys Bethan Lloyd at scene
Mrs Justice Stacey says the group "fell down the face of the weir" in no more than 20 seconds.
They were sucked into the hydraulic jump - or spin - a recirculating flow similar to a washing machine.
The judge adds: "The ankle leashes attached to the boards of those stuck in the hydraulic spin, which are totally unsuitable for fast-flowing water, made it even harder for them to get free."
The judge says it is clear to her that Nerys Lloyd intended for the group to go over the weir down the fish ramp if possible "which would be more interesting" than carrying the boards round the weir.
Mr O'Dwyer had researched alternative routes, but all were "dismissively rejected by you", the judge says.
Mr O'Dwyer deferred to Lloyd as the company owner to decide the final route but raised valid concerns, such as the drop over the weir, "which you ignored".
“Your interest seemed to be more in an exciting route than safety," she adds.
Mrs Justice Stacey tells the court there was "laughter and cheering" on the boat as the participants prepared for a relaxing and fun day out.
She says Lloyd did not assess the levels of "experience and abilities" of the people on the tour.
"There had been no mention to the group of a weir on the river and how to deal with it and no discussion of tidal or river conditions whatsoever," she adds.
Mrs Justice Stacey now tells the court that the dangers of weirs are "common knowledge" saying there are a number of materials, including river guide books, which warn of the dangers of the Haverfordwest weir "especially at high water levels".
She adds there are warning signs at river entry points.
She says "some internet research" was done prior to the tour, but no evidence of anything like a "proper risk assessment".
Mrs Justice Stacey says the participants, many of whom were friends with Lloyd, put "their trust in you".
"Four participants were not wearing wetsuits and one had decided that a life jacket would not be necessary," she adds.
She says there had been "no safety briefing" beforehand, none of the participants had the right type of leash for their boards in these conditions and Lloyd did not have any next of kin details.
Paul O'Dwyer, an instructor on the tour, loved surfing and paddleboarding, the judge says.
He was described by his wife as "the kindest man with the biggest heart". The judge adds his wife's life has been "shattered" by the events of that day.
Image source, family handoutNicola Wheatley had just turned 40 when she died, leaving behind her two-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son, as well as her "bereft" husband.
Her husband has lost the love of his life, the judge says, while for her mother, Nicola was her "rock and her best friend".
Image source, family handoutMorgan Rogers, 24, was "stepping into adulthood with everything ahead of her" when she died, the judge says.
She had a new relationship, had moved into a flat and was training to join the fire service to fulfil her "dream of helping others".
Time has stopped still for her mother after her death, the judge adds.
Image source, Family handoutAndrea Powell is described as a joyful, kind person, devoted daughter and perfect friend, the judge says.
Before her death she had registered as an organ donor. That thoughtfulness meant after her life support was withdrawn, five other people’s lives were saved, the court is told.
Image source, Family handoutMrs Justice Stacey says it is almost three-and-a-half years since four people were "cut off in their prime".
She says that yesterday the court heard "such moving accounts" from the family members which could "barely scratch the surface" their grief.
She said four people had been "cut off in their prime".
Mrs Justice Mary Stacey opens her remarks by mentioning each of the four people who died.
She acknowledges that "nothing I can say or do" will be sufficient to the family and friends of those whose lives were "tragically cut short".
The court report says it is "unlikely" that Lloyd will ever fully recover from the events of 30 October 2021.
Mr Elias says the grief she feels "pales into insignificance" in the experience of the victims' families, but she has shown remorse for her actions.
Mr Elias tells the court that Lloyd accepts she will be going to prison.
"She will always have the suffering that was so courageously set out yesterday by all those people at the front of her mind," he adds.
Mr Elias says there are no aggravating factors and a number of strong mitigating factors that should reduce the starting point of the prison sentence.
He adds that it should further be reduced by a third because of Lloyd's admission of guilt.
Mr Elias says that the gesture he thinks the judge was referring to was a long way back - well away from the weir when the group was together.
Mrs Justice Mary Stacey asks Mr Elias to explain why Lloyd's arms can be seen in a "joyful, confident, triumphant" manner in the video of her going over the weir.
The judge says this gave the impression it is "all intentional," adding the gesture seemed to convey "excitement and fun".
David Elias KC, defending, responded saying this wasn’t the case and Lloyd "simply couldn’t wait for those who were coming behind her because of the force over the weir".
David Elias KC tells the court there was a plan to get out of the water at a landing stage ahead of the weir.
He says Lloyd had asked the group to “hang back” while she went ahead, but the force of the water carried her over and she had no option but to lead everyone else over the fish pass.
Lloyd went down there as a "last resort," he adds, but it resulted in the others coming to the weir without any instruction “which is why she pleaded guilty”.
On Tuesday, Swansea Crown Court heard Lloyd, from Port Talbot, was suspended from South Wales Police at the time of the tragedy.
The decision was made after she accepted a caution for a fraudulent insurance claim involving a vehicle.
David Elias KC tells the court social media “does not tell the full story”.
Darren Wheatley, Nicola Wheatley's husband, told the court on Tuesday Lloyd was posting pictures on social media celebrating Christmas lights with her family and friends less than two months after his wife's death.
Mr Elias says Nerys Lloyd “dived back into life to try and block out what had happened".
She appreciates it had made the suffering of those affected “more intense”, he adds.
Mr Elias says it is "important for what was said in court yesterday to be put into context."
Paddleboard company owner arrives at court
Here is the moment Nerys Lloyd arrived at Swansea Crown Court at about 10:00 BST.
She shared a hug with a large group who have come with her today on the steps of the court.
It mirrors previous court appearances when people surrounded her, sometimes shielding her from public view.
Proceedings are now under way at Swansea Crown Court.
David Elias KC, defending, speaking on Lloyd's behalf, says she takes "full blame for the mistakes that meant that four special individuals are not here.
"The pain for me is immeasurable.
"The pain for the families is unbearable."