A GWENT firm was fined £35,000 yesterday after an employee fell to his death at a Chepstow warehouse.

Lloyd Fraser (distribution) Ltd was also ordered to pay costs of £7,489 by a judge at Cardiff crown court after the accident at a distribution centre for Asda stores at Newhouse Industrial Estate.

Father-of-two James Ivor Fearle, aged 54, tripped and fell against the skylight which broke under his weight, causing him to fall more than 30 feet to the warehouse floor, dying instantly from severe head injuries on October 5, 2000.

The crown court heard that Lloyd Fraser (distribution) Ltd pleaded guilty before East Gwent magistrates for failing to provide a safe, system of work, information, training and supervision, and failing to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to the health and safety of employees.

"A number of Mr Fearle's colleagues witnessed the fall and his injuries, and had been profoundly affected by what they had saw," Leighton Hughes, prosecuting on behalf of Monmouthshire county council, told the crown court.

Judge Philip Richards said the fine was to "bring the message home" of the seriousness of the offences.

He added: "It is important that prosecutions follow the unnecessary death of an employee where the causes are a breach by the employer of the health and safety provisions as laid down by parliament."

Mr Hughes said the company operated the distribution centre where up to 800 men and women worked at two warehouses.

Maintenance worker Mr Fearle, of Aust Crescent, Bulwark, Chepstow, had been married for 32 years and was in good health.

He had not received any safety training, and specifically none for working on roofs. There were leaks from one of the warehouse roofs and Steven Rooney, of SK Roofing Services, Joseph Mattinson and Mr Fearle inspected the roof.

Mr Fearle had not been on the roof before and that day, said Mr Hughes, he was provided with no more guidance than the words "be careful".

There were no safety harnesses only a hard hat, safety shoes and a company fleece.

Mr Hughes said it was found there had been no risk assessments for the premises since April 1999 when there had been a change of use.

Mr Hughes said the company pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. No employees are now allowed on the roof, access to which is locked, only specialist contractors are allowed there and a risk assessment is reviewed annually.

Derek O'Sullivan, for the company, said: "There is contrition and remorse.

"It was perceived that it was not dangerous for Mr Fearle to be on the roof. Wrongly, it was thought there was no risk."