Boat owner found guilty of death

Krisztian Takacs was killed in the fire on 12 August, 2005

A boat owner has been found guilty of manslaughter following the death of a Hungarian employee, who died in a blaze while melting lead onboard a vessel.

Krisztian Takacs, 26, was carrying out work in Southampton's Smith Quay when the accident occurred in August 2005.

Philip Wyman, 61, formerly of Raneleagh Road, Weymouth, denied manslaughter and breaching the Health and Safety Act.

A jury at Winchester Crown Court returned the verdict on Thursday. He will be sentenced at a later date.

'Serious risk'

Both Mr Takacs and Wyman were on board the partially built yacht melting lead for the keel using propane gas cylinders.

In court it was alleged that Wyman's gross negligence had caused the fire.

Expert witnesses said working conditions on the boat constituted "an immediate and serious risk".

Mr Takacs suffered smoke inhalation and died in the fire on the 48ft (14.6m) boat.