A Sussex University student was killed when a two-tonne metal excavation claw grabbed his head, the Old Bailey heard today.

Simon Jones, 24, of Banbury, Oxfordshire, had started work as a casual labourer at Shoreham Harbour only two hours earlier.

Shipping company Euromin Ltd and general manager Richard Martell were accused by Patrick O'Connor QC, prosecuting, of killing Mr Jones through "gross negligence".

Euromin, which is based at Shoreham Docks, and Martell, who is aged in his 50s and lives at Aldingbourne Drive, Chichester, deny manslaughter.

Euromin also denies three breaches of health and safety regulations relating to Mr Jones's death on May 24, 1998.

Mr O'Connor said Sussex University student Mr Jones had been sent by an agency for the day.

He started work just after 8am and had been helping to unload stones and aggregate in large bags from a ship's hold.

Mr O'Connor said the excavator operator could not see inside the hold and the powerful metal claw on the end of the arm was capable of closing suddenly and quickly.

He told the court: "Simon Jones was placed beneath and at times between the jaws of that grabber.

"He was placed in danger of his life, because the grab weighs over two tonnes and closes silently and quickly in about two seconds.

"At about 10.15 am Simon Jones was killed when the jaws closed suddenly, crushing his head. He died of massive fractures to the skull."

Mr O'Connor said although Martell was not present that morning, he was in sole charge of safety at the site, and had devised the system which led to the death.

He said Martell's actions had shown a wilful disregard for danger to human life.

Mr O'Connor said: "He is also responsible for the primitive lack of safety and organisation at this site."

The trial continues.