A MILLIONAIRE property developer and his foreman have appeared in court accused of manslaughter after a carpenter’s fatal fall at a building site.

Businessman Michael Holland, owner of Hove-based Cherrywood Investments, and Grant Oakes are standing trial after Dave Clark fell from the first floor of a stable block he was working on at Stanmer Park on September 30, 2014.

Emergency services battled to save Mr Clark, a sub-contractor for Holland’s company,

The 55-year-old, of Dyke Road Avenue, Hove, was airlifted to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, London, from the park in Brighton in a critical condition and died a month later, on October 28, 2014.

The pair were arrested in February 2015 and released on bail but then were charged just over a year later.

Holland, 69, of King’s Road, Brighton, and Grant Oakes, 46, of Elm Drive, Hove, both dressed in suits, stood motionless as the charges were read to them and spoke only to confirm their names. Both deny killing Mr Clark.

Oakes is also charged with failing to discharge his duty under the Health and Safety Act 1974. He denies failing to take suitable measures between August and October 2014 to prevent as far as possible anyone working at first floor level from being injured.

Judge Christine Laing told jurors sworn in at Lewes Crown Court the prosecution would open the case tomorrow.