Company 'put its workers at risk'

A building firm has been ordered to pay £35,000 for dangerously handling asbestos during the demolition of a former Working Men's Club in Batley.

Richmond Homes (Yorkshire) Limited was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 costs at Dewsbury Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Company director Arran Michael Import, of Shadwell, Leeds, was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs.

Both admitted removing asbestos without a licence and unsafe handling.

The charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) related to work carried out at the former Carlinghow Working Men's Club, in Ings Road, Batley.