David Haw: 21-year-old man pleased guilty to gross negligence manslaughter

A 21-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the gross negligence manslaughter of a man from Forest Row who died following a boat crash in Poole Harbour.
By Frankie Elliott
Published 26th Jul 2023, 11:12 BST
Updated 3rd Aug 2023, 12:54 BST
David Haw went overboard a boat in Poole Harbour on May 2, 2022, and was found dead in the water 12 days later.David Haw went overboard a boat in Poole Harbour on May 2, 2022, and was found dead in the water 12 days later.
David Haw went overboard a boat in Poole Harbour on May 2, 2022, and was found dead in the water 12 days later.

David Haw went overboard a boat in Poole Harbour on May 2, 2022, and was found dead in the water 12 days later.

Morgan Smith, 21, from Southampton, entered his plea to causing the death of Mr Haw at Bournemouth Crown Court.

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The case was adjourned for sentencing by a High Court judge at Winchester Crown Court on a date to be fixed in October and ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service into the defendant.

The body of Mr Haw was found in the water in Poole Harbour on May 14.

Extensive searches have been carried out by Dorset Police in the Poole Harbour area, with police specialist dive teams supported by HM Coastguard, the RNLI and volunteers from DorSAR and Wessex Flood and Water Rescue Unit.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident was launched with Dorset Police working alongside the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in accordance with established protocols.

Related topics:High CourtSouthampton