British Artist to Face Manslaughter Charges in Court

NEWCASTLE, England—British artist Maurice Agis will face charges for manslaughter by gross negligence on January 26, the BBC reports. Agis, 76, was charged in July 2006 after two women were killed while inside one of his Dreamspace sculptures.

On July 23, a gust of wind caused the sculpture to break free from its moorings at Riverside Park in Chester-le-Street. The creation was lifted 100 feet in the air and overturned. Elizabeth Collings, 68, and Claire Furmedge, 38, both died, while another 13 people were injured.

Agis also faces charges under health and safety laws. The promotions company Brouhaha International Ltd and the Chester-le-Street District Council have been charged with breaching the Healthy and Safety at Work Act. All of the parties are currently on bail.