The HSE investigated after workers had been observed carrying out roof replacement work without any scaffolding being in place.

The regulator identified unsafe work on a roofing job carried-out by Steven Hendry, 40, from Liskeard, leading HSE inspector Hatti Shipp, to serve a prohibition notice against him.

As a result, further information was requested from Hendry but he failed to comply with the request.

Hendry, trading as Apex Roofing & Property Services at the time, was verbally abusive towards the inspector. As well as ignoring the request for further information, he went on to do further work without scaffolding, completely ignoring the prohibition notice.

He then chose not to attend court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Steven Hendry, t/a Apex Roofing & Property Services of Liskeard, pleaded guilty to safety offences and was fined £400 and ordered to pay costs of £3,852 at Plymouth Magistrates Court.

HSE Inspector, Hatti Shipp, said: “Part of our role to prevent further risk of injury is to follow-up with companies or individuals who work unsafely, ensuring they are held accountable for improving conditions for workers and demonstrating to the HSE that they have done so.

“In this case, the defendant made it impossible for us to conduct this work and confirm the safety of those he was paying to undertake roof work.

“Not only did Hendry demonstrate a flagrant disregard to HSE and its powers, he was also verbally abusive to me in the process.”