Michael Hall fell from the top of a new staircase that had been left without a handrail by a local builder during refurbishment work at his home in Dobcroft Road.

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr Hall’s injuries were life-threatening.

He suffered a broken spine, massive head injuries and several broken ribs in the incident on June 23 2010. He was in intensive care and spent several months in hospital undergoing numerous operations.

Hall, who ran his own car business, has had to learn to walk again and talk properly again after a tracheotomy affected his speech. He still suffers balance problems but has made around a 90% recovery.

The builder working on the refurbishment, Robin Atherton, trading as Mack Construction, reported the incident to HSE  which investigated and brought the prosecution.

Atherton, of Sheffield, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for safety failings. He was fined £5,000 with costs of £4,000.

Inspector Medani Close, who carried out the investigation, said: “Mr Hall was lucky to survive the devastating injuries he sustained in this fall. But his life was shattered and it also had a huge impact on his wife, Sally, and his business.

“However this tragic fall could so easily have been avoided. The simplest of measures, a temporary handrail fitted to the open side of the new staircase in his home, could have prevented his fall and saved a huge amount of suffering.

“It is a vivid and sad reminder that unnecessary risks are taken far too often in construction, one of the most dangerous sectors of industry.”