Passing sentence on Oakwood, Justice Lloyd-Jones said that the recorded footage of the ride made it clear that there was a systemic problem.

"I regret to say that the figures derived from the analysis of the CCTV footage make it clear that this was not a failing resulting from the momentary distraction of an employee,’’ he said.

He added that it was at least as significant that there was an absence of any system of monitoring staff on duty at the ride.

He went on to list a series of what he considered to be aggravating features in the case, in addition to the death of Hayley Williams.

He said a systemic problem was not a momentary oversight and so the required standards of safety had not been met.

There was also significant public risk resulting from it and the fact that the breach was not an isolated incident.

"The potential of really serious injury to very large numbers of people was very considerable,’’ he said.

Earlier the court had heard that Oakwood Leisure Ltd had incurred "huge losses’’ in the aftermath of the tragic death.

In 2004, the year in which the death occurred, it made a loss of £1.1 million and had made a combined loss of almost £1m in the three following years.

The judge added in conclusion: "I wish to make it clear that the fine would have been substantially higher but for the financial condition of the defendant.’’