A BUSINESS will learn the extent of a fine for the death of an employee later this month.

Kevin Scott was killed when a vehicle reversed and crushed him in the yard of Tooles Transport, in Rushock, near Droitwich in 2013.

We reported how a jury found the company guilty of breaching section two of the Health and Safety Act 1974 earlier this week.

During a hearing at Worcester Crown Court on Monday, prosecutor Bernard Thorogood said the father-of-two was a successful man “who would help anybody.”

He said the jury’s verdict had given some sense of relief for his family.

At the hearing it emerged there was a major dispute between the prosecution and defence on the state of the transport and haulage firm’s finances.

Mr Thorogood argued the company was healthy and solvent, so could absorb a fine which Judge Robert Juckes indicated would likely be in the region of between £150,000 and £250,000.

But John Cooper, defending, argued that the business was teetering on the edge, and said that they simply did not have the money to pay a fine.

He said: “I am saying a fine would ruin the company and the livelihoods of 110 people’s jobs, and their families.”

Judge Juckes said, as he was hearing two versions of the company’s finances, he would have to put the case back, so a future hearing could provide him with a clearer picture.

A date has now been fixed for the next hearing - when the judge is likely to reach sentence - which will take place at the crown court on Friday, July 27.