Former Sowester Simpson-Lawrence dealer Andy Bowden had his ‘unsafe conduct’ charge for the death of a RIB passenger dropped on Tuesday by Southampton Crown Court.

The court failed to establish whether or not Bowden owned the RIB and therefore the case could not proceed.

Earlier the court heard how Tristan Douglas-Johnson, 20, died at the Southampton Boat Show when he was thrown from the RIB he was riding in.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency enforcement officer Jeremy Smart, said: ‘ I am disappointed the case has fallen at this late stage.’