A stunt company’s health and safety measures when a human cannonball died were “lackadaisical and unprofessional”, a court heard today.

Scott May, who runs Stunts UK Ltd, has admitted health and safety breaches.

Stuntman Matthew Cranch, of Newquay, Cornwall, died after being fired from a cannon at the county show ground in Detling in April 2011.

The safety net collapsed while Mr Cranch, 24, was in mid-air, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

His death was last year found to be an accident at an inquest.

The prosecution was brought against May, 40, of Higher Bosaven, St Just, Cornwall, by Maidstone Borough Council.

Prosecutor Mark Watson said Mr Cranch was a “flyer” for Stunts UK on Easter Bank Holiday Monday on April 25 2011.

The net designed to catch and restrain him was attached to the front of a lorry and extended for some distance.

It was held up by supporting poles. The net was secured by a quick release mechanism.

“Because the net was under tension as soon as it was released the net released the hooks and it collapsed to the ground,” said Mr Watson.

“It did so in quick fashion - within two to three seconds. It was only intended to be activated after a flyer was caught in the safety net.

“However, at the precise moment Matthew was fired out of the cannon the quick release latch inadvertently activated, so it collapsed to the ground as he was flying through the air.”

It was followed by a second series of fireworks to add to the drama.

Mr Watson said there was no need for the mechanism to be in place that day.

There was a wholly unacceptable level of risk.

“The equipment posed such an obvious risk,” said Mr Watson. “Health and safety was lackadaisical and unprofessional.”

May had been the sole director of the company since it was established in 2002.

Mr Cranch had “flown” five or six times previously. Protective clothing including a crash helmet was worn, but was not sufficient to protect him from the impact.

Air ambulance paramedics assisted land ambulance medics but Mr Cranch suffer a fatal heart attack on the way to hospital.

Mr Watson said the sort of force involved in such a stunt was similar to that experienced by fighter pilots and astronauts.

Vibration activated the release mechanism and caused the net to collapse.

“The prosecution say this case is very high culpability, not because there has been a deliberate breach but given the scale of risks involved the failures in relation to safety management by the company amount to a flagrant disregard of the law,” said Mr Watson.

“They were wholly inadequate given the risks engaged by this stunt.”

The victim’s parents sat in court as Judge Jeremy Carey said: “Far too much time has passed since all this happened. One has to be business like - not in an uncaring or insensitive way but nevertheless business like.”

The sentencing hearing continues tomorrow.