A BUILDER has been fined £10,000 after one of his employees was tragically killed after falling from a roof three years ago.

Employer, David McVey was fined when a casual worker he employed to repair a shed roof at a farm in Patna fell and was fatally injured.

McVey appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last week. The court heard how on August 26 2012, William Sproat, 63, from Patna, had been employed by David McVey to repair a storm damaged shed roof at Brunton Farm, New Cumnock.

McVey and Mr Sproat had accessed the shed roof via ladders to replace roof sheeting. William Sproat fell approximately 18 feet through the fragile roof to the concrete floor below. He sustained serious injuries from which he died on August 31 2012.

There was no edge protection and neither wore safety harnesses. No measures were taken by David McVey to prevent or mitigate a fall from height.

McVey, of Jellieston Terrace, Patna, was fined a total of £10,000 by Sheriff Desmond Leslie - reduced from £15,000 - after pleading guilty to offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Payment is to be made on or before December 1.