Leeds Crown Court heard Daniel Hough, 23, had gone to work for Nigel Parker because he was short of labour. He had no qualifications in the construction industry but was an eager worker.
Parker, admitted gross negligence manslaughter and two breaches of health and safety regulations. Lisa Roberts representing him said he had suffered a mental breakdown since the tragedy and had spent time in a psychiatric unit.
Sentencing Parker Mr Justice Macduff said it was a very sad case for everybody involved.
“You allowed Danny Hough to use a powerful Kango hammer to demolish brickwork from a chimney breast which was supporting a heavier part of the chimney structure above it. Any modicum of thought would have told you that support was necessary.”
The judge said he accepted he had required psychiatric treatment since, had lost all his savings and lived rough for a time. “Already you have suffered significant punishment for your offence.”
“I know you are truly sorry and that you would – in concert with everybody else – do whatever you could to put the clock back if that were possible.”