A solar panel company is facing a six-figure fine after a worker plunged through the roof of a Hawkinge barn, injuring himself.

Roofer Andrew Davies was working for Cumbernauld-based PV Solar in April 2013 when the accident happened.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how the 18m by 12m barn –which housed a swimming pool – had been fitted with solar panels.

Prosecutor Matthew Butt told Canterbury Crown Court that the homeowner had problems and a team had arrived to replace the panels.

“No scaffolding had been provided for the work and Mr Davies described the tower scaffold unsuitable because old solar panels could not be passed down through the hatch.

“Mr Davies had never worked on a corrugated asbestos roof before whole working for PV Solar and did not know of any company method for working on such roofs, “ he added.

The prosecutor said the worker “recognised the roof could be fragile” but was told it was safe as a previous installation team had worked on it.

“Shortly before 8.30am, as a third or fourth panel was being removed, the roof gave way beneath Mr Davies with a cracking noise, “ said Mr Butt.

A colleague, Darren Pitcher watched helplessly as Mr Davies fell through one of the skylights and landed close to the edge of the swimming pool five metres below.

“As a result he sustained a four inch fracture of his shinbone, a compressed fracture of his fifth vertebra before falling into the swimming pool.

“Once the accident was reported to PV Solar, the workers were NOT instructed to suspend work on site – and therefore they completed the job.

“There was no change to the method of work used, except Mr Pitcher initially wore a harness and attached the long rope to the back of a van, “ the prosecutor added.

Mr Davies was taken to hospital and in a statement written a year ago, had been unable to work for at least 18 months.

Mr Butt added: “He has found his reduced circumstances extremely difficult to manage and this has had a profound effect upon him and his family.

“He takes painkillers every day and is unable to enjoy normal family activities such as playing football with his son.”

Mr Butt, prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, said the equipment given by PV Solar to its workers meant they couldn’t carry out the work safely.

Judge James O’Mahony adjourned sentence on the company which had admitted three breaches of Health and Safety Regulations.

The company faces fines of between £100,000 and £450,000, together with £27,000 prosecution costs.