A businessman who allowed the spread of asbestos in an industrial building by not employing licensed contractors to remove the potentially deadly material, has been fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £7,400 in costs.

Peter Rees, the owner of a business unit in Eagle Farm Road on the Mochdre Business Park, was selling the building to another firm when the incident happened in September 2012.

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At Llandudno Magistrates' Court today, an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified clear failings with his management of the material.

The court heard the company purchasing the unit had commissioned an asbestos survey that showed the presence of a large amount of asbestos insulating board.

However, instead of employing a qualified and licensed asbestos removal contractor, Mr Rees used a general contractor, which resulted in asbestos dust being spread inside the building.

A complaint was raised by a licensed contractor and a significant clean-up operation was then required by an authorised contractor.

Mr Rees pleaded guilty to a single breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

(CD/JP)