A builder has denied the manslaughter of a 17-year-old student who died after falling from a ladder while painting the eaves of a house.
Colin Jeffery pleaded not guilt to the manslaughter of Mason Beau Jennians, who died after falling from the ladder at a house in Abbotskerswell, near Newton Abbot in December 2014.
Jeffery, aged 58, of Durham Close, Paignton, also denied failing to ensure the safety of an employee working at height.
He admitted four generic charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act of failing to ensure the safety of employees between April 2014 and February 2015.
Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, confirmed a trial date of October 3 this year. The case is listed to last for three weeks and the main issue is likely to be whether or not Jeffery employed Mr Jennians at the time of his death.
Mr Jennians was found with multiple injuries at the foot of the ladder at 12.10 pm on December 4, 2014 and was taken to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth by air ambulance but never regained consciousness.
The 17-year-old student, of Trentham Close, Torquay, had been painting the eaves of a house in Odle Hill, Abbotskerswell, at the time.
Tributes were left on Paignton seafront at the time, including one which described as ’a great lad’.