A building owner and contractor have been prosecuted for dangerous demolition work in Kent.

Panther AL (VAT) Limited, of Deneway House, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. It was fined £160,000 with more than £9,128 in costs.

Martin Elmes, of Barnacres Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 25(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment suspended for two years.

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Canterbury Crown Court heard that Martin Elmes was contracted to demolish a building owned by Panther AL (VAT) at the High Street, Ramsgate

However during the work, the building collapsed uncontrollably on 06 November 2013.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Mr Elmes had failed to properly plan the work and then carried out unsafe demolition work.

In addition, Panther AL (VAT) did not make any enquiries into the suitability or competence of Martin Elmes to undertake the demolition. Neither PALL nor Martin Elmes applied for a road closure and members of the public were put at risk.

HSE inspector Andrew Cousins said: "Lives were put at risk when this structure uncontrollably collapsed. Clients have a responsibility to appoint competent contractors to undertake hazardous work such as demolition.

"Those in control of demolition have a responsibility to plan demolition work and to devise a safe way of working that protects both the workers and members of the public.

"The job could have been safely carried out by simply undertaking the demolition behind a substantial hoarding."

(LM)