Two scaffolders from Cornwall have received suspended prison sentences following the death of a colleague who fell seven metres to his death.

Roger Stoddern, 47, was dismantling scaffolding on 24th June 2013 when he fell from the flat roof of a property in St Mawes. He was taken to Derriford Hospital but died three weeks later due to the severity of his injuries.

Truro Crown Court heard how Mr Stoddern was stacking three-metre roofing sheets on the flat roof of the property without any edge protection. The safety railing had been removed to allow access to the flat roof so that the sheets could be stacked. The court also heard how one of the defendants replaced the safety rail following the incident to cover up the cause of the incident.

The Health & Safety Executive’s investigation, alongside Devon & Cornwall Police found that Colin Marshall Scaffolding was not qualified to erect the scaffolding and there was evidence that no personal protective equipment was used. The condition of the scaffolding also failed to meet current safety standards.

Colin Marshall, of St Austell, and the founder of the business, pleaded guilty to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for two-years. His son and business partner, James Marshall, also of St Austell, was given an eight-month sentence suspended for two-years. They were also ordered to pay costs of £25,661.