Scout Ben Leonard would still be alive if walk was planned - inquest

Ben Leonard, 16, died after falling from Great Orme, Conwy, in August 2018.

A scout who fell to his death on a trip would still be alive if the walk he was on had been properly planned, a police officer has told an inquest.

Ben Leonard, 16, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, slipped 200ft (61m) from the Great Orme in Llandudno, Conwy, in August 2018.

Ben and two friends were walking away from the rest of the group when he slipped and fell, the inquest heard.

Scout leaders have already accepted responsibility for Ben's death.

Sgt Terry, from North Wales Police, who was the first officer on the scene, told the second day of an inquest in Manchester the Great Orme would be classed as "Terrain Two" in Scout Association guidelines.

That means rocky terrain with steep slopes and a risk of serious consequences from a fall.

Ben, who had joined Beavers at the age of five, was on a two-day Explorer Scouts trip.

The plan had originally been for the scouts to climb Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, but this was called off due to bad weather.

No risks assessments for a walk up the Great Orme were done in advance or on the day of the walk, the inquest was previously told.

A lawyer for Ben's family, Bernard Richmond KC asked Sgt Terry: "Those three boys, had there been proper planning, should never have gone anywhere near that edge should they?"

"No," replied the officer, who has also been a member of a mountain rescue team since 2017.

Mr Richmond then asked: "If the right planning had been done, Ben would still be alive wouldn't he?

"I believe that is the case, yes," Sgt Terry replied.

The inquest continues.