"JUSTICE for James at last" - the words of family members who have waited more than three years to find out why a much-loved Barry dad died on a worksite in 2011.

Father-of-one James Stacey, 31, fell to his death while working at the former Cadbury's factory in Somerset when the bucket on the digger he was driving snagged against scrap being pushed through an open hole in a fourth floor wall.

At Bristol Crown Court last week, boss Paul Priestly was found guilty of failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of workers.

It was revealed during the two week trial that Priestly had instructed workers to remove safety barriers from holes in the building to allow scrap to be pushed through.

He had initially denied the claims and accusations of covering up further health and safety breaches despite demolition company Euro Dismantling Services Ltd (EDS) pleading guilty at an earlier stage.

James' parents Gill and Jim of Meadowvale, Barry, said that the family had been dragged through "two years of hell" since the legal proceedings against Priestly began.

Father Jim, 70, said: "It wasn't for him we wouldn't have had to go through all this."

Describing the string of oversights that led to his son's death Jim continued: "[Priestly] was overwhelmed, we all agree with that.

"He needed more men, and a more experienced team. He couldn't handle it. They were cutting corners and it just all went wrong."

Speaking about their relief at the guilty verdict, mum Gill, 66, said that she hoped EDS would offer an official apology during the sentencing - due to take place on July 1.

"Nothing will bring James back," she said, "It's not going to help, but it would be nice. They need to notice that we are still here."

James' brother Jason Kerslake said that the death had "torn the family apart" with father Jim saying that things would never be the same without his "life and soul of the party" son.

James had been with his partner Hannah Stokes for 10 years when he died. The couple are parents to six-year-old Molly.

A statement jointly written on behalf of close family members - also including sister Lisa Smith - said: "We are all still devastated and consumed by our grief as we not only have had to try and deal with losing James but also to cope with the heartbreak of having to wait over three years to understand what happened on that day.

"James had a gregarious personality, his smile and laugh were completely contagious. He is loved and missed every day by all who knew him."

Another statement from extended members of the family said: "We love and miss James and we think of him all the time.

"He was loved by everyone and it brought our whole family to their knees when he died. We were all devastated.

"At last, we have justice for James now."