A company has been found guilty of corporate manslaughter, and it and its directors guilty of a serious breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act over the death of a man at business in Harlow.

Nikolai Valkov, 63, of Warwick Road, Edmonton in North London suffered serious injuries after falling through the roof of a warehouse he was working on at Ozdil House, River Way, Harlow on April 13, 2015.

He was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital where he sadly died.

Ozdil Investments Ltd, which owned the building, and its directors, Firat and Ozgur Ozdil, were charged over the incident.

Koseoglu Metal works, which was employed as a contractor, and its director, Kadir Kose, were also charged.

At a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on September 27, 2016, Koseoglu Metal Works pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter and a failure of duty of care under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Kose, 52, of Cavendish Street, London, also pleaded guilty to a failure to discharge their duty under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

On Thursday, February 2, following a four-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, a jury found Ozdil Investments guilty of corporate manslaughter and having committed a gross breach of its duty of care to Mr Valkov under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Its directors, Firat Ozdil, 42, of Bowood Road, Enfield and Ozgur Ozdil, 33, of Cherrydown Avenue, London, were also found guilty of a failure of duty under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Ian Jennings, said: “The death of Nikolai Valkov was a completely preventable tragedy which has caused an immeasurable sense of sadness and loss to his family.

“It was caused by two companies, and their directors, who showed a total disregard to their responsibilities to ensure the safety of workers on the site – something which should be of paramount importance.

“Mr Valkov and his family were failed by Firat and Ozgur Ozdil, Kadir Kose and the companies they ran.

“And while I hope their conviction will come as some solace to his family, it will not bring Mr Valkov back and that is something his loved ones have to deal with every day.”

Sentencing will take place on Friday, March 17.