THE devastated mother of a man who died after falling from a roof at work has paid tribute to her “beautiful” son – and says she wants justice for him.

Builder Benjamin Edge died because firewood supply firm SR and RJ Brown Ltd failed to follow health and safety procedures, a court heard.

The company had previously pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter in relation to Mr Edge’s death.

Owners Christopher and James Brown, aged 25 and 32 respectively, as individuals have also admitted separate charges of failing to ensure Mr Edge’s safety.

Mr Edge’s mother, Janet Edge, read out an emotional statement in court which described her memories of December 10, 2014, when her son slipped from a roof at Fletcher Bank Quarry in Shuttleworth and suffered fatal injuries.

Addressing Christopher Brown and Robert ‘James’ Brown during sentencing of the company at Manchester Crown Court, she said that when she saw her son’s coffin at the funeral she wanted to drag those responsible to the coffin so they could see what they had done.

She said: “Ben’s death was totally avoidable. He had everything to live for, but his future was stolen from him.”

Mrs Edge added: “Benjamin Edge, known affectionately as Ben, was my son and his father, Tim’s, son. We are so proud of Ben, not just what he achieved, but who he was.

“Ben was so beautiful and always had a huge smile, and he was full of fun and a zest for life.

“He was a breath of fresh air and always fun to be around. Ben loved his friends and was always there for them.”

When her son died, he left a three-year-old daughter who he “adored”, Mrs Edge said.

She said the day Ben died is forever etched in her memory and that she constantly relives the events.

She said that what breaks her heart is the fact that Ben’s death was avoidable, as he should not have been working in the worst weather conditions before falling to his death.

Remembering the events of the tragic day, she said: “When I arrived at the hospital, I know the police officers were trying to protect me, and I was pacing around with worry.

“What I did see will stay with me forever. The nursing staff were trying to save Ben, my beautiful boy, who was filthy and covered in mud. Ben was on life support, he had suffered a heart attack and had been put into a coma.”

Mrs Edge said when the doctors told her they could not operate to save her son, she was on the floor, begging and pleading with them to try.

In the early hours of the next morning, Mrs Edge allowed the life support machine to be switched off.

“I had to say goodbye to Ben,” she added. “I remember he had the most beautiful blue eyes, but I saw nothing.”

Mrs Edge continued to tell the court how her life had changed irreversibly since that day, and that she has suffered serious illnesses and had to retire from work.

She said she now tries to live a normal life, but every day thinks about Ben from the moment she wakes up in the morning to when she goes to bed – and sometimes this makes her want to scream.

That Christmas, in 2014, Mrs Edge said she sat down with her family for Christmas dinner with everybody just looking at Ben’s empty seat.

Christopher and James Brown will also be sentenced for admitting failing to ensure the safety of Peter Heap, who was not employed by the company but was working on the site.

Heap himself, as well as the Browns, who are brothers, have also pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

The sentencing hearing continues tomorrow.