A company has admitted failing to ensure the safety of its employees after a worker died at its factory in Bradford.

James Murphy (right), 61, of School Green Avenue, Thornton , an employee at refrigeration company George Barker in Idle , died after being hit on the head as a racking unit toppled over.

A hearing at Bradford Magistrates Court heard yesterday the company was being prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act over allegations it did not have an appropriate system in place for the racking unit.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecutor Mike Elliker said the starting point for a fine was “substantially” in excess of the jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court and asked for the matter to be committed to Bradford Crown Court for sentence.

The case was committed for sentence at Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday, September 4.

Last year an inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death for Mr Murphy, following a hearing at Bradford Coroner’s Court.