A GRATELEY businessman, who was disqualified from being a company director, has been jailed for serious fraud and safety offences.

A second businessman was given a suspended prison sentence for similar offences.

The two were sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday following joint proceedings brought by BIS (the Department for Business Innovation and Skills) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The safety offence related to the tragic death of 40-year-old Southampton worker Ian Middlemiss in September 2010.

Paul O’Boyle, aged 56, of Cholderton Road, was jailed for a total of 26 months; 16 months for a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974; and ten months for a breach of the Fraud Act 2006.

He was also disqualified from being a company director for a maximum of 15 years after admitting four breaches of Section 13 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

Russell Lee, aged 67, of Quay 2000, Horseshoe Bridge, Southampton, was given a 12- month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The safety offences related to their running of Alton-based Aztech BA Ltd and the death of a worker who was crushed and killed by a two-tonne metal sandmoulding box.

In his sentencing comments, Judge A H Barnett said Paul O’Boyle had behaved in a ‘disgraceful’ way.

Tim Galloway, HSE director of operations, said: “The safety standards at Aztech BA Ltd fell well short of those required, as Paul O’Boyle and Russell Lee were only too aware.

“They knew improvements were needed to protect workers and they had clear responsibilities as management to ensure the changes were implemented.

“One of the many areas that was overlooked was the system of work surrounding the overhead crane. Had this been properly assessed then Ian’s tragic death could have been prevented.”