PAUL SMITH FROM TAMWORTH FACES JAIL AFTER TRAGIC DEATH AT BOSWORTH WATER PARK
In a case that has shocked the community of Tamworth and the surrounding areas, Paul Smith, aged 36, is now facing the possibility of imprisonment after admitting to manslaughter by gross negligence in connection with the tragic death of a five-year-old boy named Charlie Dunn.The incident occurred at Bosworth Water Park in Leicestershire, where Charlie was found drowned in a lagoon that was approximately 1.4 meters deep.
Initially, Smith had denied any involvement or wrongdoing regarding Charlie’s death.
However, during the course of the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, he changed his plea to admit guilt.
The court proceedings revealed that a group of children had pulled Charlie from the lagoon after Smith was allegedly seen smoking nearby and heard making a distressing comment: “For f***’s sake, we’re ready to go.
I don’t know where he f****** is.” Jurors heard that Charlie was discovered in the lagoon in July of the previous year, a location that is part of the popular Bosworth Water Park in Leicestershire.
The tragic circumstances surrounding his death have prompted a detailed investigation, which uncovered additional troubling details.
It has now been reported that Smith also admitted to witness intimidation related to another incident involving Charlie, which occurred prior to the trial.
In a related development, Charlie’s mother, Lynsey Dunn, aged 28, also pleaded guilty to charges of neglect.
Her admissions covered two separate incidents: one between July 2014 and July 2016, where she failed to supervise Charlie when he was found in a pedal car near a busy road, and another in the summer of 2015 involving neglect of a different minor, who cannot be named publicly.
Mrs Justice Nerys Jefford announced that she would deliver sentences for both defendants on December 20.
Following the pleas, the prosecution announced that it would no longer pursue manslaughter charges against Dunn.
During the court proceedings, Dunn, who was granted bail, approached Smith in the dock and told him to “call me,” blowing him a kiss as he was escorted to the cells by security officers.
She was seen leaving the court wearing a purple coat with her hood pulled low to conceal her face.
Prosecutor Mary Prior QC, opening the Crown’s case on November 30, emphasized the severity of the neglect involved.
She stated that Charlie, who was unable to swim, had been left alone in a busy park under circumstances that posed a clear and imminent risk of serious harm or death.
The prosecutor described the defendants’ attitude as one of “ingrained and entrenched indifference,” highlighting that this was not a case of parents briefly turning their backs during a tragedy, but a gross failure to supervise a vulnerable child over an extended period.
Detective Inspector Nikki McLatchie, the deputy senior investigating officer from Leicestershire Police, commented on the investigation, noting that approximately 1,000 people were present at the park that day.
She explained that many witnesses provided vital information, confirming that Charlie was left alone multiple times despite his inability to swim.
Inspector McLatchie expressed her sorrow over the tragic outcome, stating, “Smith was looking after Charlie at the park, and his failure as a parent came with the most tragic consequences and ultimately led to his death.” She also extended gratitude to those who came forward to assist with the investigation, acknowledging that while the plea of guilt will not bring Charlie back, it may offer some measure of comfort to his family and friends.
The case has underscored the importance of supervision and responsibility, especially in environments where children are vulnerable to harm.
