Charlie Dunn's parents deny charges after son drowned

Charlie Dunn's parents deny charges after son drowned

Lynsey Dunn is charged with manslaughter by gross negligence over the death of her son Charlie at a water park last summer

The parents of a five-year-old boy who drowned in a water park have denied manslaughter by gross negligence and child cruelty.

Charlie Dunn died in hospital after being found submerged in the 'Blue Lagoon' lake at Bosworth Water Park near Hinckley, Leicestershire on July 23 last year.

His body was found after he had wandered off in the afternoon while the couple were packing up the car to leave. 

Charlie's mother Lynsey Dunn, 28, and stepfather Paul Smith, 36, were later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence.

Prosecutors say they allowed Charlie to enter the water park unsupervised and that their 'breach of duty caused or significantly contribu ted' to his death.

The couple, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, denied manslaughter by gross negligence when they appeared at Leicester Crown Court today.

An 11-year-old boy discovered Charlie's lifeless body when he felt his hair in the water while looking for his lost goggles. 

Dunn, who was on bail, and Smith, who was remanded in custody, also deny  ill-treating Charlie during the four years before his death and four other child cruelty offences - relating to three other children.

Charlie Dunn was found in the water by another child after he walked away from his parents

Dunn is pictured leaving court today. The judge told her she could be arrested if she did not attend future court dates

Artists drawing of Paul Smith appearing in court via video link and Lynsey Dunn (right) appearing in person

The offences, detailed at Leicester Crown Court today, are alleged to have taken place between March 31, 2012 and July 22 last year. 

Smith, appearing on video link from HMP Leicester, also denied two counts of witness intimidation on March 27, 2017 and June 19, 2017.

It was alleged that he told one potential witness her would 'rip their head off' and petrol bomb the family car, as well as claims he threatened another witness's father.

Smith broke down in tears after entering his plea, while Dunn stared ahead.

As the proceedings concluded, a visibly emotional Smith told Dunn: 'Keep your chin up', adding: 'Love you babes.' Dunn replied: 'I love you too.'

As well as the manslaughter charge, the couple also face allegations of child cruelty

Dunn was released on bail ahead of her trial while Smith (right) was remanded in custody

Judge Nicholas Dean QC said: 'Miss Dunn and Mr Smith, you have pleaded not guilty to these charges.

'The case will now proceed to trial at Birmingham Crown Court with a probable start date of the 29th of November.

'Before then there will be a pre-trial hearing here in October to ensure that the trial proceeds in the proper way.

'Miss Dunn, you will be released on bail. If you do not attend you might be arrested and put into custody... Mr Smith, you will be held in custody.'

The three week trial will start on November 29 at Birmingham Crown Court.

He died in the Blue Lagoon paddling area at Bosworth Water Park near Nuneaton last summer

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