A SCOUT group has been ordered to pay £12,000 following the death of a 16-year-old camp leader.

But today the devastated parents of Michelle Stanley said no amount of money could ever bring back their precious daughter.

Lewes Crown Court heard how Michelle was killed instantly when she fell under the wheels of a tractor at Broadstone Warren Scout Camp, Forest Row, in November 1997.

East Sussex County Scout Council admitted failing to undertake the management, administration, control and supervision of activities on the 385-acre site.

Yesterday, the charity was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £7,000 costs by Judge Richard Brown.

Speaking to the Argus after the hearing, Michelle's parents, Maureen and Terry, of Sellindge, near Ashford, Kent,welcomed the judgment.

Mrs Stanley said: "The amount of the fine made little difference to us. It can't bring Michelle back.

"We are not going to actually get any compensation ourselves but it wouldn't make any difference to us even if we did."

Mr Stanley, a Scout leader himself, added: "We are just glad it's all over."

The court heard how Michelle and two boys, aged 14 and 15, had been riding on the footplate of a tractor driven by fellow Scout leader Emily King, 22, when the tragedy happened.

Mrs King had received no more than 25 minutes instruction on how to operate the vehicle before attempting to drive it over a muddy country path with a three-tonne trailer in tow.

James Lauchland, prosecuting, said Mrs King had been left alone with the tractor after being shown how to use it by one of the camp's full-time staff.

He said: "The forest track was slippery from recent rainfall and when the wheels locked, Mrs King fought to remain in control.

"Miss Stanley fell off the footplate and was run over by the rear wheel of the tractor, causing immediate death from a skull fracture."

David Platt, defending, said Scouts were trained to be independent and act responsibly.

Miss Stanley had been a dedicated member of the Venture Scouts and had recently been awarded the Chief Scout Award, one of the movement's highest achievements.

Mr Platt said: "At Broadstone Warren there has never been a serious accident or a fatality.

"The choice of Mrs King to drive was the right choice. She was legally entitled to drive the tractor on any public road."

The court was told how the Scouts had spent more than £7,000 on safety improvements at the camp since the accident, including recruiting trained drivers to operate tractors.

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