A construction company director has been cleared of charges related to injuries suffered by one of his employees after a court found that a proper assessment had been carried out and precautions taken.

Paul Polidano, 49, from Safi, brother of construction magnate Chales Polidano Ic-Caqnu, had been charged with responsibility through negligence of injuries sustained by Joseph Debono who was hurt while at work in Triq Mariano Gerada in Cospicua in June 2003.

The court heard how Mr Debono was working on the demolition of a house when he fell from the third floor as he was removing bricks from the roof, throwing them down into a room below. As he was removing a stone, a hook attached to it caught his top and pulled him over the wall.

He suffered a fractured spine and collar bone, and fractures to both arms and legs, causing permanent disability. He told the court that although he had protective clothing and health and safety equipment, he did not use it for the job at hand.
Magistrate Giovanni Grixti ruled that work on the house were still at their initial stages and machinery was not on site yet.

A risk assessment had been duly carried out. He therefore cleared him of the charges brought against him.

Police Inspector Frankie Sammut prosecuted while lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha.