A stunt company and its director responsible for a human cannonball act which went tragically wrong has appeared in court today.

Stunts UK Ltd and Scott May were to answer accusations it failed its duty of care to employee Matthew Cranch who died after the safety net which was supposed to catch him collapsed while he was mid-air at Detling Showground in April 2011.

The case, which was heard at Maidstone Magistrates' Court, has been adjourned.

The 24-year-old’s death was ruled to have been an accident at an inquest last year. It occurred after the recoil of the lorry caused the net to be released.

At the hearing a jury heard evidence from a mechanic at the Health and Safety laboratory who said he felt the design of the system was not sensible.

Mr May, 39, of Penzance, Cornwall, who owns the company which trades as Scott May’s Daredevil Stunt Show, told the inquest all staff had been trained on the equipment.

He added he visually inspected everything with Mr Cranch, who was living in Newquay, Cornwall, at the time of the accident and had performed the act five times, before the stunt.