A council has been ordered to pay £200,000 for breaking health and safety rules at a popular swimming lake where a Shoebury man died.
Father-of-two Kevin Gay, 47, hit his head on a submerged post and later died after taking a swim in the marine lake in Maldon's Promenade Park.
Maldon Council was convicted by a unanimous verdict of a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court of breaking health and safety laws.
Today, the legal team for Mr Gay's wife Pamela said she was relieved with the outcome of the trial and intended to press ahead with a civil case following her husband's death.
Judge Gareth Hawkesworth said the council had failed in its duty to protect the public.
He fined the council £75,000 with £125,000 costs but gave it five years to pay.
The council denied failing to ensure adequate arrangements to protect people using the site from submerged objects.
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