TWO firms have been fined a total of £17,500 for failing to ensure the safety of an electrician who fell to his death from a defective ladder.

Stuart Crooks was only five weeks into a new job with Lorimer Electrical when he fell while changing a strip light at the Primex Plastics plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Teesside Crown Court heard that the father-of-two and another man, Peter Stiles, an apprentice who was footing the ladder, had been working in a "patently unsafe" manner while fitting new fluorescent lights at the factory.

Andrew Finlay, prosecuting, said the ladder which the men had been using was intended only for domestic use.

Its rubber feet had also been pushed up inside the frame, reducing the grip where it touched the floor.

He said they should have been using either scaffolding or a cherry picker to access the lights.

Mr Finlay said that while the two men were working, a broken light fitting fell to the floor, causing Mr Stiles to suddenly step back.

As a result, Mr Crooks, 45, of Worcester Place, Bishop Auckland, is thought to have lost his balance and he fell 15ft, suffering fatal head injuries, while Mr Stiles sustained a broken arm.

Primex, of Beaumont Way, Newton Aycliffe, which supplied the ladder, was said to have failed to ensure it was in good working condition and admitted a charge of failing to ensure that the contractors on its site were working safely.

Angus Lorimer, owner of Lorimer Electrical, of Burtree Road, Newton Aycliffe, also admitted failing to ensure the safety of his employees.

Both firms were said to have had exemplary health and safety records prior to the accident in December 2003.

Mark Thomas, for Primex, said it had since changed its management team and also now employed a dedicated health and safety officer.

The judge, Recorder Aidan Marron, said that he held Primex principally responsible for the accident and fined the firm £10,000 with £2,071 costs.

Lorimer Electrical was fined £7,500 and also had to pay £2,071 in costs.