The owner of a roofing firm in Wales has been sentenced to 10 months imprisonment after admitting manslaughter of a 17-year-old apprentice who fell through the skylight of a shop.

Roy Clarke, 50, of Maes Glas, Cefn Cribwr, allowed Daniel Dennis on to the roof of a B&Q store without being properly supervised.


Daniel had just started working for the company, North Eastern Roofing, when he fell through the skylight.

Mr Clarke admitted manslaughter and Judge Mr Justice Griffith Williams said the sentence would serve as a "deterrent for other business people".

He said: With one fifth of construction deaths caused by falls from or through roofs, the dangers of working on roofs are all to obvious. As a man with 30 years experience, you knew full well the dangers."

Clarke was also ordered to pay £18,000 in court and Health and Safety Executive costs.

(CD/JM)