The BBC's John Thorne: A health and safety investigation brought the pair to court

Brothers Andrew and Neil Medley, formerly directors of Medley Ltd, now in liquidation, paid two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old to clear a turbine components factory in Yeadon site in West Yorkshire in the summer of 1996.

Neil Medley, 37, from Rawdon, near Leeds. also pleaded guilty to four breaches of health and safety regulations relating to the handling of asbestos - which can cause fatal lung diseases.

Neil Medley: Pleaded guilty to four breaches

Andrew Myerson, prosecuting, said that, as well as employing the teenagers, the company was removing asbestos from a boiler room without a licence.

During the trial, trade unionists and victims of asbestos-related dieases protested outside the court, calling for tougher policing of asbestos laws.

Stewart Emms, of the Construction Workers Union, said: "You only need one particle of asbestos getting in your lungs and in 20 or 30 years time you are going to find that your life expectancy has been reduced."

Andrew Medley: Described as the junior partner

Andrew Medley, 36, of Rawdon, near Leeds, who was a British international runner, was described as the junior partner at the Guiseley-based firm.

The BBC's Richard Wells: It is too early to tell if they will suffer any lasting effects

Judge John Cockroft told the pair they would not go to prison, but only because the laws' maximum sentence did not permit it.

But he said: "Only time will tell whether the development of diseases caused by asbestos will cause Parliament to look at the maximum sentences for these offences."

The case was adjourned until Friday when the brothers will be sentenced.