UK Athletics pleads not responsible to manslaughter over demise of Paralympian

UK Athletics has pleaded not responsible to a cost of company manslaughter and a well being and security offence, following the demise of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei.

Hayayei, who had competed on the Rio Paralympics in 2016, died after a steel throwing cage fell on him at Newham Leisure Centre on July 11, 2017.

The United Arab Emirates athlete was coaching in preparation to compete within the F34 discus, javelin and shot put on the World Para Athletics Championships in London.

Keith Davies, head of sport for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships, additionally pleaded not responsible to a cost of gross negligence manslaughter and a well being and security offence.

Each the governing physique, courtesy of Simon Antrobus KC, and Davies appeared on the Previous Bailey on Tuesday (March 18) to enter their pleas.

The Met Police launched an investigation following Hayayei’s demise, with the Crown Prosecution Service authorising costs because of a evaluate of proof supplied by the pressure.

Keith Davies (Mark Shearman)

In keeping with the fees, Davies, now 77, is alleged to have “unlawfully killed” Hayayei, in addition to an alleged failure to “take cheap take care of the well being and security of your self and of different individuals who might have been affected by your acts and omissions at work”.

UK Athletics, between October 2012 and July 2017, was accused of “failing to assemble a discus cage with its base for worldwide athletics and para-athletics”.

It was additionally alleged that the governing physique “routinely” equipped/supplied shot put and discus cages at occasions between 2012 and 2017 that had been “with out their mentioned base constructions”.

The governing physique faces claims of well being and security breaches by senior administration as nicely.

An eight-week trial was set for October 12, 2026 on the Previous Bailey. A case administration listening to is to happen on the identical court docket on December 12, 2025.

Davies was launched on unconditional bail.

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