Prosecution brought following death of student Olivia Burt

Ms Burt, from Milford-on-Sea, was queuing outside Missoula bar in Durham when she was fatally injured after a barrier collapsed in February 2018.

Investigations into the death of the 20-year-old, who studied at Bournemouth School for Girls, have been ongoing since.

Read more: Further delay to inquest into death of Durham student

A brief hearing of Durham and Darlington Coroner's Court was held on February 23 at Crook Civic Centre, with family members attending online. 

Coroner Oliver Longstaff said: "I was informed by Durham County Council that a criminal prosecution is being brought against an interested party in the inquiry.

"Accordingly the coroner's investigation into Olivia's death has been suspended until the outcome of those proceedings."

Read more: Durham University student Olivia Burt's parents affected by inquest delays

Joanne Waller, Durham County Council’s head of community protection, said: “We can confirm we have served a summons on Stonegate Pub Company Ltd for four charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act, in relation to matters dating from February 2017 to February 2018.

"The case is listed for a hearing at Peterlee Magistrates Court on 1 March and while proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) previously investigated criminal charges of gross negligence and corporate manslaughter following Olivia’s death.

However, the CPS confirmed on September 3 2020 that there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

In a statement Olivia’s parents, Nigel and Paula Burt said: "We welcome the decision by Durham County Council to charge Stonegate Pub Company with four health and safety offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. 

"Four long years after Olivia’s death, we now await the outcome of the health and safety prosecution. We do not understand how our only child died on a night out with friends."

A statement released by the London-based law firm Bindmans added: "Olivia Burt, from Milford on Sea, was a gifted and beautiful young woman who inspired others.

"She was head girl at her school, Bournemouth School for Girls, and represented Great Britain in sailing. 

"Only 20 years old, she was killed on 7 February 2018 in Durham, where she was a first-year student studying Natural Sciences at Durham University.

"She was just embarking on a journey that would have doubtless seen her leaving a lasting mark on our world. But more than this, everyone who knew Olivia remembers her smile and her kindness, and how she inspired others.

"Since then, Olivia’s parents, Nigel and Paula Burt have faced the additional trauma of their daughter being trolled on Facebook. This resulted in the November 2018 conviction and imprisonment of the perpetrator.

"Olivia’s parents have founded a charity, Olivia Inspires, to allow their daughter’s spirit to live on by helping disadvantaged young people in the New Forest. Visit the charity's website here: www.oliviainspires.org.uk."