Killer inflatable creator appeals

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Artist Maurice Agis, 77, who was convicted at Newcastle Crown Court of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act by failing to ensure the safety of members of the public, will have his challenge heard by judges in the Court of Appeal in London.

Agis, from Kirton Gardens, Bethnal Green, east London, stood trial for the manslaughter by gross negligence of Elizabeth Collings and Claire Furmedge, who fell out of his Dreamspace sculpture in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, but a jury was unable to reach verdicts on those charges.

Mrs Furmedge, 38, from Chester-le-Street, and Mrs Collings, 68, from Seaham, who was known to friends as Anne, died when they fell from the walk-around artwork as it went tumbling across Riverside Park in July 2006.

The ropes tethering the 50-yard by 50-yard inflatable sculpture were not able to hold it and it broke free, flipping over and crashing into a CCTV pole, where it deflated.

Another 27 visitors were injured, among them Rosie Wright, then aged three, whose life was saved by a passing anaesthetist and the prompt actions of an air ambulance crew who flew her to hospital.

The court heard that Agis relied on grants to fund his artwork and his sole income was a £125 a week state pension.

Passing sentence in March, Mrs Justice Cox said the fine "must be one within his ability to pay".

She ordered Agis to pay £80 a month, meaning it would take him 10 years and five months to repay the fine in full or face six months' imprisonment if he defaults on repayment.