A mother speaks out after her son’s tragic fall during a Scout trip. She feels the organization is still not taking responsibility for the events that led to his death.
Llandudno: It’s a heartbreaking story. Ben Leonard, just 16, went on a Scout trip. His mom waved him off, thinking he’d be safe. But he never came back.
In August 2018, Ben fell from the Great Orme. He was with friends, but they wandered off unsupervised. They ended up on a narrow ledge, and he lost his balance, falling 200 feet.
Ben had just aced his GCSEs and was excited about studying film-making. Sadly, he never got to chase those dreams.
After a long inquest, a jury found that Ben was unlawfully killed. They pointed fingers at the Scout leaders for neglect. It was a tough pill for his family to swallow.
But the story didn’t end there. The Scout leaders tried to challenge the inquest’s findings. They wanted to overturn the ruling, which only added to the family’s pain.
Jackie, Ben’s mom, feels the Scout Association isn’t owning up to their mistakes. She believes they’re still trying to shift the blame onto her son.
She said it’s been a long six-and-a-half years of court battles. It’s been exhausting and painful for the family. They just want justice for Ben.
The inquest revealed serious failures in leadership during the trip. There were no safety briefings or risk assessments. Ben and his friends were left to wander near the cliff edge.
Jackie has been vocal about wanting a public inquiry. She believes there should be stricter regulations to protect kids in Scouts. She’s not alone; other families have faced similar tragedies.
In a statement, the Scout Association claimed they’ve made changes to improve safety. But Jackie wants more accountability. She just wants to ensure no other family goes through this heartache.
It’s a tough situation, and Jackie’s fight for justice continues. She hopes for a future where kids can enjoy their adventures safely.
