A farmer has denied causing the death of a 20-year-old woman who died after being trapped in a milling machine.
Neil Carpenter, aged 44, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court and his case was adjourned for a trial in September.
He denies the unlawful killing of Lauren Scott, aged 20, who died after the incident at Springfield Farm, Dawlish, on March 4, 2017.
Carpeter, of Firbank Road, Dawlish, also faces a second charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act of failing to ensure the safety of an employee.
Mr Ben Compton, QC, defending, said his client will enter a guilty plea to the second count when the wording of the charge has been clarified.
Horse lover Lauren worked as an assistant manager in the Pets Corner in Powderham Castle in nearby Starcross. She also worked at Newton Abbot racecourse.
A tribute at the time of her death was paid by racecourse manager Pat Masterson, who described her as an ’absolutely wonderful person’.
Former schoolfriend and X Factor singer Luke Friend also paid tribute and called her a ’wonderful and bubbly person at school’ who ’did not have a care in the world’.
Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, adjourned the case for a trial at Exeter Crown Court in front of a High Court judge on September 10, 2018.
The judge set a timetable for the exchange of expert reports and released Carpenter on bail. He ordered a further case management hearing on May 23, when Carpenter will be expected to enter a plea to the health and safety charge.