‘Complex’ case against PCYC Queensland in teenager Ben Shaw’s death adjourned

A southeast Queensland magistrate has warned the complex court case covering a teenager’s tragic death at a gym north of Brisbane could take years, as solicitors work through thousands of pages of evidence and communicate with dozens of people.

Defence solicitor for PCYC Queensland Geraldine Dann (right) with a colleague at Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on November 11 last year.

A MAGISTRATE has said the court case of a teenager who died while exercising alone at a gym could take years and involve dozens of people.

The prosecution of PCYC Queensland over teenager Ben Shaw’s death was adjourned to May 15 at Pine Rivers Magistrates Court this morning.

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Magistrate Melanie Ho said she would be looking after the case for the next 15 months.

“I do know these matters are complex and can take years,” Ms Ho said.

Defence solicitor for PCYC Geraldine Dann said the scope of the case was significant.

“The brief of evidence has been provided; it is more than 6000 pages,” Ms Dann said.

“And there are 38 persons identified by reference of transcripts and statements.”

Ben Shaw, 15, died on October 1 after a weightlifting accident at the Pine Rivers PCYC days earlier.

Prosecuting solicitor Paul Waltham had no objection to the adjournment.

Work Health and Safety charged PCYC Queensland with a Category 2 offence under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 on September 23 last year.

It was alleged the PCYC failed to comply with a health and safety duty and exposed individuals to a risk of death or serious injury.

Ben Shaw was working out alone at Pine Rivers PCYC on September 26, 2017 when a weight bar came down on his throat, trapping him for about 20 minutes before he was found by staff.

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Staff administered first aid before he was transported to Lady Cilento Hospital for treatment. He died at the hospital four days later, on September 30.