Reading Magistrates’ Court heard how on 2 December 2016 Samuel Goemans of Cedar Ridge Construction Limited suffered a serious head injury after falling from a tower scaffold onto the street below.

His injuries have led to long term brain and memory problems and have resulted in him suffering from seizures and losing the ability to care for himself.

An HSE investigation found that the principal contractor failed to control the safety and planning on site and the subcontractor carried out unsafe working practices.

Principal contractor Turnkey Contractors Limited of Southampton pleaded guilty to safety breaches and was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3184.00.

The director of Turnkey Contractors Limited, Santokh Dhanda, of Southampton also pleaded guilty to safety breaches and received a Community Service Order for 100 hours.

Subcontractor Cedar Ridge Construction Limited of Wokingham pleaded guilty to safety breaches and was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3184.00.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Ian Whittles said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related injuries in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.

“The case highlights the importance of following industry guidance and in order to design and erect scaffolding in a safe manner, which does not raise risk to members of the public and workers using the scaffold.”