Builder gets suspended jail term after worker died

Raffaele Vigliotti was given a suspended jail sentence at Reading Crown Court

A self-employed builder has been given a suspended jail sentence after a man died weeks after being injured helping with roof work.

Raffaele Vigliotti, 68, trading as Absolute Building Solutions, was managing the building of an extension at a house in Reading in April 2023 when Andrew Layley fell and sustained serious head injuries.

Married father-of-three Mr Layley, who was from Reading, died in hospital several weeks later.

Vigliotti, from Padworth, pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety legislation and was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

At Reading Crown Court on Monday he was also told to complete 200 hours of unpaid work within 18 months.

Mr Layley's family said his loss had left a huge hole in their lives.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Nicola Pinckney said the accident which injured the 69-year-old was "wholly avoidable".

"Due to Vigliotti's failures, a family has been left without a much-loved husband and dad," she said.

"The penalty imposed on Mr Vigliotti will hopefully serve to highlight to others the importance of taking this risk seriously and ensuring they protect their workers from this risk."