A DEMOLITION site boss has been found guilty of failing to ensure the safety of a Barry man who fell to his death while working.

Barry man James Stacey died in November 2011 while working for Euro Dismantling Services Ltd (EDS), who were demolishing the former Cadbury's factory in Keynsham.

Bristol Crown Court heard that James, a 31-year-old father of one, died when the bucket on his digger snagged against scrap he was pushing through an open hole on the fourth floor of the building.

The vehicle and James were pulled out of the building.

Demolition boss Paul Priestly had denied ever seeing or allowing dangerous working practices at the site but was found guilty of failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of others at work at the end of a week long trial.

The court heard during the trial that 54-year-old Priestly, of Halifax, had instructed workers to remove safety barriers from holes in the building to allow scrap to be pushed through.

He denied the claims and said that if he had known about these practices he would have investigated them.

Priestly was also accused of covering up further health and safety breaches.

Demolition firm EDS had admitted the charge.

Former Cadoxton Primary and Barry Comprehensive pupil James had been with his partner Hannah Stokes for 10 years when he died.

He had only just begun working as a Bobcat driver prior to his death in 2011.

In tributes paid at the time he was described as a "kind, sweet, funny, caring" man who was "loved by many".