Former TV presenter faces crown court trial over wildlife park accident

A TV presenter-turned-wildlife park owner who denies breaching health and safety regulations at the animal attraction will stand trial with her husband next month.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th May 2012, 07:00 BST

Celebrity interior designer Anna Ryder Richardson, 48, is accused of serious breaches that left a mother and son in hospital.

She appeared with husband Colin MacDougall, 46, at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court yesterday where their case was sent to crown court for trial, with the case due to start on June 29. The couple own, jointly run and live at the Manor House Wildlife Park, in St Florence, near Tenby, west Wales.

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Their jointly owned company, Manor House Wildlife Park Ltd, also denies two breaches of health and safety legislation. The couple appeared briefly in court yesterday and each spoke only to confirm their names, ages and address.

Three-year-old Gruff Davies-Hughes suffered serious head injuries at the park after a heavy branch fell on him during strong winds.

He spent three days fighting for his life in intensive care after being airlifted to hospital.

His mother, PE teacher Emma Davies-Hughes, 28, suffered a head injury and fractures to her leg, pelvis, and arm.

Mother-of-two Ryder Richardson made her name alongside Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on the BBC’s popular makeover show Changing Rooms.