Dumfries Sheriff Court heard that, on 15 October 2017, an employee of SPIE Limited delivered an overhead power pole to a roadside verge in Kelloholm.

The pole was left unsecured at the top of an embankment and subsequently rolled down, trapping the 12-year-old between it and a fence and causing fatal injuries.

During an HSE investigation two distinct failings that led to the tragic incident were highlighted.

Firstly, there was a failure to provide a safe system of work for the delivery and storage of poles to ensure that they were delivered to the correct location and that they were properly secured to prevent rolling.

Secondly, there was a failure to provide suitable training, information and instruction to ensure that employees engaged in the task of delivering poles properly secured them so that they could not roll.

SPIE Limited of Gracechurch Street, London pleaded guilty to safety breaches and was fined £160,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Martin McMahon said: “This terrible and tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a child.

“This death could easily have been prevented if the risks involved had been properly managed, through the provision of safe systems of work and suitable training of employees. Sadly however, that was not the case.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standard”.