THE firm which employed a man who was crushed to death helping to build the new Wembley Stadium has pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations.

Patrick O'Sullivan, a 54-year-old carpenter, died on January 15, 2004, when a platform fell 30m on top of him, causing him to bleed to death.

His heartbroken family have never given up fighting for justice and were pleased when the concrete contractors admitted failing to follow safety procedures on Friday at City of London Magistrates' Court.

Speaking after the case Mr O'Sullivan's son, John, 36, told the Wembley Observer: "My dad worked tirelessly for 18 years at PC Harrington.

"It has taken five years for the company to admit it flouted health and safety regulations. The law needs to change to protect relatives from this kind of legal underhandedness. It is unethical and immoral.

"Our hope is that companies like this will not be able to hide for very much longer before the law in this country changes to better protect men like my father."

The case was brought by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) against the company following an investigation into the death of the father-oftwo from Ealing.

Southall firm PC Harrington pleaded guilty to a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the case will now be heard for sentencing at the Old Bailey on May 1.

Mr O'Sullivan's sister, Margaret, 38, said: "Our lives changed beyond recognition when my father was killed here at Wembley.

"My father arrived at work early on that Thursday morning, and before most people had even started their working day, my father had been killed.

"I will never forget identifying his body - how cold he felt and the blood and dirt in his hair.

"His last rites were heard while he lay in the mud in Wembley. No one should have to die like that."

Mr O'Sullivan's family also believe more has to be done to prevent work related deaths.

Miss O'Sullivan added: "I had no real comprehension of the dangers he faced at work. It was a trade that was passed from father to son and he was proud of his tradition.

"You can see the buildings he helped build - homes where families are now living, landmarks like Canary Wharf, Wimbledon and now Wembley.

"Yet all these landmarks were built on the sweat and blood of carpenters, scaffolders, labourers and the other hundreds and hundreds of men who work and suffer within this industry."