Motorsport organiser pleads guilty to safety breaches

The organiser of a motorsport event in Staffordshire that was evacuated after people fell ill from carbon monoxide poisoning has admitted health and safety breaches.

Motorsport With Attitude Limited pleaded guilty to five offences following the indoor car event at the Staffordshire County Showground last year.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service recorded high levels of carbon monoxide inside the main arena, after complaints about spectators feeling unwell.

A spokesperson for the firm said at the time that lessons had been learned and that it would act on them in the future.

Company director David Rennie appeared before magistrates in Cannock and pleaded guilty to five charges on behalf of the company, relating to the incident in February 2024.

The charges included failing to have a valid risk assessment, failing to provide adequate systems to deal with carbon monoxide build-up, failing to maintain a working environment for employees, failing to prepare a written statement of health and safety at work policies, and failing to adequately consider health and safety risks.

Last week's hearing was adjourned until April for sentencing at Cannock Magistrates Court.

Councillor Ian Fordham, Stafford Borough Council's cabinet member for environment, said: "People going to this type of car racing event must be confident that the organisers have all the checks and balances in place for it to run safely.

"I am pleased that, after our thorough investigation, the company has admitted it failed to have all those correct safety procedures in place."

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