The wife of a roofer who died at work has criticised his former employer after the company was fined over the incident. Matthew Ryan suffered a fatal head injury after falling from a property in St Cyrus, Angus, in March 2024.
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive found that Stonehaven Roofing Services, Matthew's employer, had breached health and safety guidelines that contributed to the incident.
Wife's tribute
Nicola Pert, who had been with Matthew for 12 years, said the accident has "robbed" his family. She described the incident as "completely avoidable".
Speaking after the guilty plea, Nicola said: "Matt and I spent nearly half our lives together as partners and best friends, and his loss is something I don’t think I’ll ever fully come to terms with."
She added: "He was hard-working, funny, reliable and a motoring enthusiast and I’ll miss travelling with him all over the UK for random, fun days out – we really did everything together and I will sincerely cherish the memories of our time together."
Fine and court outcome
Andrew Kenyon, director of Stonehaven Roofing Services, pleaded guilty to the breaches at Aberdeen Sheriff Court in July this year. On Thursday, September 10, he was fined £20,000, reduced to £15,050 following an early guilty plea.
Nicola said: "It would be wrong to say I am ‘glad’ about anything that has happened around this conviction because, to me, there’s nothing to possibly be glad about. It is however right that justice is done and this early admission of guilt at least spares us additional unnecessary anguish."
She thanked her friends and family for their support, saying: "You have helped me survive something I never thought I would have to endure – and I now only wish for peace and privacy from media as I look to the future and try and find a way forwards."
Legal support
A team at the Digby Brown office in Aberdeen is supporting Nicola and Matthew's wider family with a fatal accident claim against Stonehaven Roofing Services.
