Italian hotel could be prosecuted after toddler's death

Tidmarsh toddler Brad Kremer, whose father owns Kremer Signs at New Greenham Park, fell from a balcony abroad in 2009

OWNERS of an Italian hotel at which a Tidmarsh toddler plunged to his death may be prosecuted, an inquest in Newbury heard yesterday (Wednesday).

Eighteen-month-old Brad Kremer fell three metres from a balcony at the Chia Laguna resort complex in Sardinia on August 15, 2009.

The hearing was told that Italian authorities claimed Brad climbed over the balcony before falling onto a roof below.

But his parents, Richard Kremer, owner of Kremer Signs on New Greenham Park and wife Stacey, said they believed their son had either squeezed through the railings or climbed under them.

Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford expressed his frustration with Italian authorities dealing with the case and said their findings had been largely inconclusive.

The Kremers rejected some of the statements that the Sardinian police, known as the Carabinieri, said they had made.

The inquest also heard how Italian police used the hotel's receptionist as a translator instead of hiring a professional.

Mr Kremer's business partner Steve Gosney, told the inquest: “I have been told that magistrates are constructing a case with the intent to prosecute the hotel because the building regulations on the balcony weren't checked.”

Post mortem tests confirmed that Brad died as the result of the fall.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Bedford said that he agreed with the Kremers that it was most likely Brad had squeezed through the railings or climbed under them.

After the inquest Mr and Mrs Kremer said: “It is now 20 long months since we lost our precious little Brad. Every day for us is as difficult as the one before and the heartache does not get any easier.

“We will not let our son's name be forgotten and we will not let his death be in vain.”

Mr Bedford's findings will be sent to the Italian authorities via the Foreign Commonwealth Office.