AN agricultural building company faces a large fine after a worker suffered severe injuries falling through a fragile roof and plunging 12 feet to the ground at a farm in the Borders.

But a sheriff has admitted it is simply a “paper exercise” as David Miller Contracts Ltd from Gifford, East Lothian, have gone into liquidation with the fine not collectable and the directors not liable.

Neil Knox, who was 69 at the time of the accident at Tollishill Farm near Oxton, on March 14, 2013, fractured his spine in two places, broke several ribs, punctured his lung, is confined to a wheelchair and has no movement in his legs.

The company pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The court heard Mr Knox, who had been doing roof work for 45 years, was fixing lights on a farm building.

Director David Miller had said that due to access difficulties the workers would go onto the roof and use crawling boards. But against instructions Mr Knox walked over the roof which gave way and he fell 3.7 metres onto gravel below.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation determined that the best way to have approached the job would have been from below using a platform.

Depute fiscal Lynn Jamieson said: “There was a risk assessment but was just general and not site specific.” She added the case highlighted the dangers of working at height.

Barry Smith QC said the directors of the company were upset at the injuries to their valued colleague.

He added that Mr Knox knew he was not supposed to walk on the roof saying: “It is not the first case and not the last case where a man of great experience takes a short cut and pays a high price for doing so.” Mr Smith explained that a failed property development in 2002 along with the housing crash had resulted in financial difficulties for the firm which was forced into liquidation by Her Majesty Revenue and Customs.

He said the firm took health and safety very seriously and had no previous convictions.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre said it had been a “terrible accident” and there had been “catastrophic consequences” from just falling 3.7 metres.

He added he wanted time to consider the sentence and deferred the case until January 23 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

The court was told that a separate civil action by Mr Knox is currently ongoing.