A stonemason has been fined for serious safety failings after part of a poorly-installed fireplace toppled onto and killed a four-year-old boy at his Northamptonshire home.

Kristian Childs, trading as KD Childs Stonework of Luton, had been sub-contracted to install stone fireplaces in new homes, including one in Coulthard Close, Towcester, which was subsequently bought by David and Gail Green.

They moved into the property with their son Matthew and older daughter Rachel in June 2003.

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On 15 October 2005, the 47kg mantel from the fireplace came away from the wall without warning and fell on Matthew. He was airlifted to hospital but died of his injuries shortly afterwards.

A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which brought the prosecution, found that Mr Childs had secured the mantel with small patches of mortar rather than mechanical fixings.

Northampton Crown Court heard that Mr Childs was aware of the need to ensure fireplaces were properly secured after two others he had fitted at other properties were found to be insecure by the home owners.

Kristian Childs, 42, of Chestnut Avenue, Sundon Park, Luton, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £7,500 with £2,500 costs.

(CD/JP)