Amphibious car maker faces jail

The boss of a firm which supplied an amphibious vehicle for use in the Lake District, is facing jail after a judge described it as a "floating coffin." Windermere tour operator Adrian Cowdroy paid £34,000 to Sussex-based Amphibious Cars Ltd for a vehicle to take families on tours of the lake.

But a Carlisle Crown Court jury convicted managing director Tim Dutton-Woolley of making false claims. Judge Paul Batty QC said the vehicle was not fit for purpose.

Peter Hopley, a chartered engineer specialising in mechanical design and marine equipment, told the court that there was a high risk of down flooding and sinking and that he had "real concerns" about the stability of the vehicle.



Judge Batty said: "This vessel was an absolute disgrace. Everyone who saw it, either at close quarters or performing, would probably agree that it was nothing short of a floating coffin."

Phil Ashcroft, Head of Cumbria Trading Standards, said: "There can be no shortcuts where the safety of the public is concerned, especially given that this vehicle's primary purpose was to take fare-paying passengers on Lake Windermere."

Dutton-Woolley was bailed to his home address in Worthing until sentencing on 28 May.