The former boss of a scaffolding company has been fined £2,000 after one of his workers was electrocuted.

Daniel Wyatt, 22, was killed when a scaffold pole he was carrying touched an overhead power cable, sending 11,000 volts through his body.

A court heard Michael Radlett, 37, who ran B Sure Scaffolding, did not see the power line at the back of a row of houses when he went to price the job.

Daniel, who lived in Chichester, and another worker were not warned about the risk when they went to erect scaffolding, working from the back garden of a house where an extension was being built.

Magistrates at Chichester heard Radlett was so upset about what had happened, he closed down his business and was now working for someone else.

Denis Bodger, prosecuting, for the Health and Safety Executive, said Daniel died on February 25, when a 21ft pole he was carrying came into contact with the overhead cable at the back of gardens of homes in Lavant Down Road, Lavant, near Chichester.

He said the line was similar to ones dotted throughout the countryside and the risks were well known in the construction industry.

Mr Bodger said the presence of the cables should have been recognised, with employees told about them and the electricity company contacted so they could be isolated and earthed, in order for the scaffolding job to be done safely.

Judy Dawson, defending, said Radlett wanted to extend his deepest sympathy to the family of Daniel.

She said Radlett of Nelson Close, Tangmere, near Chichester, could not explain why he had not seen the cables when he went to quote for the work.

Miss Dawson added: "He made a genuine human error and he can't get over that fact. He is extremely cut up about it. He was not trying to cut corners or to save money."

She told the magistrates a verdict of accidental death had been recorded by an inquest jury.

Miss Dawson said the coroner had expressed his concern the cables were near houses and they were now due to be rerouted underground.

Radlett admitted failing to provide a safe work system for which the maximum fine is £20,000.

Chairman of the court, Elizabeth O'Hey, told Radlett the court accepted how deeply he had also been affected by what happened.

She said: "No fine can reflect the sorrow experienced by the family."

Radlett was also ordered to pay costs of £1,544.